March 31, 2019-Emporia State evened their MIAA record with a double header sweep of Pittsburg State on Sunday afternoon at the Trusler Sports Complex. The Hornets walked off in game one 4-3 and then took a 5-1 win in the nightcap.
GAME ONE
The Hornets fell behind 1-0 in the top of the first when Kala Holder walked with two outs and came around to score when Kaity Kukowski's fly ball to right field was dropped. Kukowski doubled to lead off the fourth inning. Mikayla Mahlo pinch ran for her and scored on Alicia Lowrey's single after going to third on a passed ball.
The Hornets got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Hannah Steeby singled and stole second before coming home on Rachel Kauss' single to center. The Gorillas added what seemed to be an insurance run in the top of the seventh when pinch runner Makayla Lamphier scored on a wild pitch.
Rachel Kauss led off the bottom of the seventh with single to center and was replaced by Mackenzie Thornton on the bases. Thornton stole second and went to third when Maddy Broxterman's fly ball down the left field line was dropped. With one out Kenzie Garvin reached on an infield single that scored Thornton. Gabby Diondo then reached on an error by the third baseman that scored Broxterman and tied the score at 3-3. With two outs Steeby singled to center to score Garvin for the 4-3 walk off win.
Montana Mesler went the distance in the circle, giving up three runs with only one of them earned, and struck out nine.
GAME TWO
The Hornets jumped out in front to start the night cap when Rachel Kauss singled in Gabby Biondo. They made it 2-0 in the fourth when Cassidy Beem doubled to left and came around to score on Kailee Odegard's single.
Pitt State pulled within a run in the sixth when Keelah Griffith double with one out and went to third on a wild pitch. She would scored on another wild pitch to make it 2-1.
Emporia State took control of the game in the bottom of the sixth. Steeby led off with a double and scored on Beem's home run to left center. Maddy Broxterman put the finishing touches on the scoring with her first home run of the season to make it 5-1.
Sydney Righi went the distance in the circle to pick up her first win. She allowed one run on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
Emporia State is back in action on Monday when they play host to Missouri Southern. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. on Turnbull Field at the Trusler Sports Complex.
