April 9, 2019-Emporia State enjoyed their return to the Trusler Sports Complex as they swept a double header from Rogers State on Tuesday. The Hornets won the matinee 1-0 in walk off fashion and then picked up a 4-1 win in the night cap.
GAME ONE
Emporia State's Montana Mesler and Rogers State's Andrea Morales were locked in a pitcher's duel in the opener. Mesler's first six outs came by strike out as she took a no hitter into the fourth inning. Morales did not get the strikeouts but only allowed on hit into the fourth inning.
The only scoring threat of the first six innings came in the bottom of the fourth when Hannah Steeby hit a two out triple for the Hornets. Morales ended the threat with a strikeout. The Hillcats got their first runner to second base in the top of the seventh when Allie McFetridge hit a lead off single and her pinch runner Paige Westover went to second on a sac bunt. The Hornets got out of the inning on a foul pop up and Mesler ended it with her 11
th strikeout of the game. Steeby ended it on the third pitch of the bottom of the seventh when she hit a shot over the wall in right field for the 1-0 walk off win.
Mesler went the distance in a two hit shut out. She struck out a career high 11 batters and allowed just two walks.
GAME TWO
The Hornets got on the board early with three runs in the bottom of the second. With one out Cassidy Beem walked followed by a pair of singles by Kailee Odegard and Brittanie Shepherd to lead the bases. Maddy Broxterman hit a line drive to left for a sac fly that plated Beem and gave ESU a 1-0 lead. Kenzie Garvin then delivered a double to center and went to third on a throwing error as Odegard and Shepherd both scored for a 3-0 lead. Hannah Steeby tripled with one out in the third and scored on an error to put the Hornets up 4-0.
The Hillcats got their only run of the day in the top of the fourth inning. Katelyn Gamble walked to lead off the inning and went to second on a sac bunt. She would score on Allie McFetridge's single through the right side. Sydney Righi ended the threat with a strike out as the Hornets took a 4-1 lead to the fifth.
Jaylen Gibson started the fifth with a walk for the Hillcats and went to third on Mikayla Waggnor's double to left. Righi then settled down and got a strike out and foul out before pinch hitter Sierra Skaggs flew out to right to end the inning.
Kelsey Phillips came on to pitch the final two innings and only allowed a one out single in the seventh to pick up her first save.
The Hornets return to MIAA action on Friday when they take on Ft. Hays State. First pitch of the double header is set for 3:00 p.m.
NOTES:
Mesler's 11 strikeouts are the most by a Hornet pitcher since Karley Schmelzer had 11 against Northeastern State on May 3, 2013.
