April 6, 2019-Emporia State took Central Missouri to extra innings twice before falling in each game on Saturday at the South Recreation Complex in Warrensburg, Mo. The Hornets fell 4-3 in nine innings in the matinee and 3-2 in eight innings in the night cap.
GAME ONE
Emporia State struck first in the opener when Maddy Broxterman led off the third with a single. Brittanie Shepherd followed and reached when her sac bunt attempt was mishandled by Jessica Sader at third base. Kenzie Garvin loaded the bases with a bunt attempt when Brie Murray could not get an out on an advancing runner. Gabby Biondo and Rachel Kauss gave Emporia State a 2-0 lead with back to back singles and chased Jennies starter Alex Bradley. Jordan Johnson came in and got out the inning thanks in part to a line drive double play to third off the bat of Hannah Steeby.
The Jennies cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third when Lauryn Deer singled with two outs, stole second and scored on Ashlyn Cook's single. Back to back doubles by UCM's Taylor Dames and Kaitlyn Markin, again with two outs, tied the score at 2-2 in the fourth inning. Aubrey Daniel gave UCM the lead with a lead off homer in the fifth inning.
Destiny Ojigoh tied the game for the Hornets in the top of the sixth with a one out solo home run to center field. Mackenzie Thornton relieved Montana Mesler in the circle to start the bottom of the sixth inning and only allowed two singles by the Jennies until the ninth inning. Dames led off with a single and stole second. She went to third on a fly out and then scored on Daniel's squeeze bunt to give UCM the 4-3 win.
GAME TWO
Central Missouri took the lead first in the night cap. Jessica Sader led off the fourth inning with a single and went to third on a sac bunt and ground out. With two outs Kaitlyn Markin singled through the left side for the first run of the game. Aubrey Daniel would give UCM a 2-0 lead with and RBI single to right.
Emporia State cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth. Hannah Steeby led off with an infield single and went to third on Destiny Ojigoh single down the right field line. Cassidy Beem grounded out to plate Steeby and make it 2-1. The Hornets tied the game in the top of the seventh. Kenzie Garvin led off with a walk and Gabby Biondo reached on a fielder's choice for the first out. Rachel Kauss grounded out to third but that allowed Biondo to go to third base. Steeby then dropped a single into left field that scored Biondo.
Hornet starter Sydney Righi gave up a single and walk in the bottom of the seventh before getting out of the jam with a fly out to center and line out to second base. Emporia State got two runners on in the top of the eighth with two outs. Pinch hitter Jenna Spence reached on a fielding error by UCM pitcher Alex Bradley. Maddy Broxterman worked a walk to put two runners on before Garvin was just thrown out at first on ground ball to third to end the inning. Brylie Bassett relieved Righi to start the bottom of the eighth. She got a fly out to start the inning and then walked two Jennies to put the winning run on second. Righi returned to the circle and gave up a single to right center and Hailey Crabtree was able to score from second to give UCM their second walk off win of the day.
Emporia State will be back in action on Tuesday, Arpil 9 when they play host to Rogers State in non-conference action. First pitch of the double header is set for 3:00 p.m. on Turnbull Field at the Trusler Sports Complex.
NOTES
The last five games for Emporia State have been won in a teams final at bat.
