April 12, 2019-Emporia State swept Fort Hays State with a pair of one run wins to start the weekend at the Trusler Sports Complex on Friday. The Hornets won the matinee 2-1 and walked off in the nightcap 3-2.
GAME ONE
The Tigers got out in front early as Terran Caldwell walked, went to second on a passed ball and to third on a single by Katie Adler. Caldwell then scored on a fielder's choice to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. The Hornets answered in the bottom of the inning. Kenzie Garvin beat out a single to lead off the inning and was sacrificed to second. After Rachel Kauss reached on an error, Destinty Ojigoh would single in Garvin to tie the game.
Emporia State starter Montana Mesler settled down and retired 13 straight batters. The Hornets would give her a lead in the fourth inning. Garvin doubled to left center and went to third when Gabby Biondo beat out a bunt single. Kauss then laid down a squeeze bunt and Gavin came home to give the Hornets a 2-1 lead.
Mesler hit Allision Jurgensen to start the seventh and was relieved by Kelsey Phillips who retired the next three Tigers to earn her second save of the season.
GAME TWO
Both teams had plenty of scoring opportunities through the first four innings as the Tigers stranded six and the Hornets left three runners. Fort Hays State broke through with the first runs of the game in the fifth inning. Terran Caldwell reached on single back to Sydney Righi in the circle to lead off. Katie Adler then sent Maddy Broxterman to the wall in right field for a triple to score Caldwell. After a line out to Hannah Steeby at short by Grace Philop, Sara Breckbill reached on an error by Steeby that allowed Adler to score for a 2-0 lead.
Emporia State got a run back in the bottom of the fifth. Kailee Odegard led off with a single up the middle then stole second and went to third when Breckbill's throw went into centerfield. Brittanie Shepherd then hit a sac fly to right field to get the Hornets on the board.
ESU left the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh as they went to the seventh trailing 2-1. Brittanie Shepherd led off the seventh with her first career home run to tie the score. Broxterman followed with a walk. Kenzie Garvin then beat out an infield single and Broxterman was able to go to third as Jeni Mohr's throw from third was wild. Garvin popped up to short before Kauss hit a ground ball to short and Broxterman came home for the walk off win.
The Hornets are back in action on Saturday as they take on Neb.-Kearney on Senior Day. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
