March 16, 2019-Emporia State split the softball edition of the Turnpike Tussle, getting a run rule win in game two after falling 6-3 in game one of the MIAA double header played at Lawrence Free State HS on Saturday.
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Game One
Washburn got on the board first in game one as the first four batter reached base. With one run in and the bases loaded Kenzie Garvin was able to gun down Brianna Fuchs at the plate for a double play to keep the damage to just one run. The Hornets tied the game when Garvin led off the third with a single to left, stole second and came in to score following two wild pitches.
Washburn went up 4-1 in the bottom of the third on a two run double by Taylor Kirk and a single from Winter Henry. They made it 6-1 in the fourth on a two RBI single from Savannah Moore. Emporia State got two runs back in the top of the sixth. Kailee Odegard and Destiny Ojigoh both walked to lead off the inning before Rachel Kauss singled. An error by Moore for Washburn allowed Odegard to score and two batters later a Brittanie Shepherd ground out plated Ojigoh. The Hornets got a single from Hannah Steeby and a walk from Odegard to bring the tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh but could not get the runs across.
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Game Two
Emporia State scored three runs in the top of the first and never trailed in the run rule victory. Kenzi Garvin and Gabby Biondo both reached on errors with Garvin coming home when Biondo reached. After a sac bunt by Kelsey Phillips Hannah Steeby delivered a triple down the right field line and would come home on a sac bunt by Cassidy Beem. A second inning triple by Taylor Kirk followed by a ground out gave the Ichabods their only run of the game.
The Hornets sent 12 batters to the plate in the fourth and scored six runs to blow the game open. Beem reached on a third strike wild pitch to start the inning. Washburn got Beem out on a fielder's choice that allowed Kailee Odegard to reach. Destiny Ojigoh followed with a single and Rachel Kauss reached on fielder's choice when no play could be made. Brittanie Shepherd put the ball in play but WU third baseman Winter Henry threw the ball away allowing Odegard and Ojigoh to score. Garvin reached on another throwing error by Henry at third that plated Kauss. Biondo laid down a bunt that scored Shepherd from third to make it 7-1. After an out Steeby walked on a wild pitch ball four that sent her to second and allowed Garvin to score. A walk to Beem loaded the bases and Odegard walked to force in the ninth run of the game to end the scoring.
Phillips followed the six runs with a shut down inning in the circle, retiring the Ichabods in order with two strikeouts. Washburn got two runners on in the bottom of the fifth but could not score as the Hornets got the run rule win.
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 Emporia State is scheduled to compete at the Hyvee Classic this weekend in St. Joseph, Mo. depending on the weather.
