March 21, 2019-Emporia State opened the home portion of their schedule with a pair of wins on Thursday at the ESU Regional Classic. The Hornets came from behind to defeat Wayne State (Neb.) 10-5 and then defeated St. Cloud State 3-1 in the final game of the day.
ESU 10, WSC 5
The Hornets spotted Wayne State five runs in the top of the second before scoring ten unanswered runs for the game one victory. Brittanie Shepherd started the Emporia State comeback with a lead off single and went to second when Kenzie Garvin walked. After an infield fly, Cassidy Beem hit a fly ball down the right field line that was caught but the throw into the infield was bobbled allowing Shepherd to score. Hannah Steeby had an RBI single that plated Garvin and Destiny Ojigoh delivered a home run to left to pull the Hornets within 5-4. Rachel Kauss reached on an infield single to start the fourth and would score on Gabby Biondo's single to left to tie the game.
Emporia State took the lead in the fifth when Kailee Odegard reached on a fielder's choice and went to third on another fielder's choice. She would score on a failed pick off attempt that sailed down the left field line. Two walks later Biondo laced a single to left that was misplayed and allowed all three runs to score and give Emporia State a 9-5 lead. Hannah Steeby walked to lead off the sixth and would score following a ground out, passed ball and sac fly by Odegard.
Biondo was three for four with four RBI in the first game. Mackenzie Thornton came on in relief in the second inning and did not allow a run in the final 5.2 innings while striking out six and giving up just four hits to pick up the win.
ESU 3, SCSU 1
Emporia State got another solid performance in the circle in the nightcap as Kelsey Phillips took a no hitter into the fifth inning of the 3-1 win over St. Cloud State. Brittanie Shepherd and Kenzie Garvin had back to back doubles in the third inning to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead. Rachel Kauss hit a lead off single and pinch runner Mackenzie Thornton would score on Gabby Biondo's triple to give Emporia State a 2-0 lead. Phillips helped herself out with a single that plated Biondo to make it 3-0 after five innings. After breaking up the no-hitter with a bloop single with two outs in the top of the fifth, the Huskies got on the board with back to back singles in the top of the sixth to trail 3-1 going to the seventh. Phillips gave up a two out single before getting a ground out to third to end the game.
Kauss was two for three whilt Biondo went one for three with an RBI and a run scored. Phillips went the distance in the circle allowing one run on four hits with two strikeouts and four walks.
The Hornets are back in action on Friday at 3:00 p.m. against Minnesota State-Mankato followed by a contest against Concordia-St. Paul at 5:30 p.m.
