March 1, 2020-Emporia State won two games on Sunday to finish 4-2 at the WU Invitational in Topeka, Kan. The Hornets defeated Minn.-Crookston 7-4 in the first game and beat Southwest Minnesota 5-4 in their last game
ESU 7, UMC 4
Emporia State gave up two unearned runs in the bottom of the first, but scores seven straight runs to take a 7-2 victory over Minn.-Crookston on Sunday morning.
Destiny Ojigoh had a two run double to tie the game in the top of the second and
Gabby Biondo stroked a two RBI single to right to give the Hornets the lead in the fifth inning.
Brittanie Shepherd hit a triple in the gap in left center and came home on a single by
Brylie Bassett. Rachel Kaus supplied a an RBI single in the sixth and Bassett hit a sac fly in the seventh to give Emporai State a 7-2 lead. The Eagles got a pair of two out runs in the bottom of the seventh off Bassett before Syndey Righi returned to the game to get the final out.
Gabby Biondo went three for four with two runs and two RBI.
ESU 5, SMSU 4
The Hornets scored the first four runs of the game and held on for a 5-4 win over Southwest Minnesota in their final game of the weekend.
Hannah Steeby led off the game with a double and stole third before scoring on a ground out by
Kerrigan Dixon.
Brittanie Shepherd then led off the second with a triple down the right field line and scored on a
Jenna Spence ground out. Maddie Broxterman made it 4-0 with a two RBI single in the fourth inning. The Mustangs got one run back in the bottom of the fifth and had the bases loaded before the Hornets were able to get an inning ending double play. SMSU cut the lead to a a single run with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Roni Raines gave Emporia State an insurance run in the top of the seventh when her two out double plated Broxterman. Southwest Minnesota scored one run in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a lead off double, but Dixon got the next three batters out to preserve the 5-4 win.
Maddie Broxterman went two for two with two RBI and a run scored.
The Hornets will begin MIAA play on Friday when they play host to Pittsburg State at the Trusler Sports Complex. First pitch of the double header is set for 2:00 p.m.
