EMPORIA STATE FALLS IN PITCHER'S DUEL IN MIAA TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND

May 1, 2019-In an MIAA Tournament edition of Turnpike Tussle Emporia State dropped a pitcher's duel to Washburn 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon in Edmond, Okla.
 
Washburn scored first when Samantha Stallbaumer ledoff with a triple and came home on a squeeze bunt by Savannah Moore. 
 
The Hornets tied the score in the top of the fourth when Hannah Steeby hit a shot over the wall in straight away center field. 
 
The Ichabods broke the tie in the bottom of the inning when Winter Henry reached on a throwing error by Steeby at shortstop.  She was sacrificed to second and went to third on a ground out.  With two outs Sieana Hall singled to score Henry and give Washburn a 2-1 lead.
 
With two outs in the seventh Cassidy Beem reached on a throwing error by Moore at third base. Mackenzie Thornton pinch ran for her and stole second to put the tying run in scoring position.  But Brittanie Shepherd then grounded out to end the game.
 
Montana Mesler went the distance in the circle for Emporia State. She scattered five hits and allowed two runs, only one earned, in 6.0 innings.  She struck out four and walked in the loss.  Steeby, Beem and Shepherd had the three hits for the Hornets in the game.
 
Emporia State will play an elimination game at1:30 p.m. on Thursday against either Pittsburg State or Missouri Western.