EMPORIA STATE SPLITS MIAA OPENER WITH PITTSBURG STATE

March 6, 2020-Emporia State softball split their MIAA opening double header falling 4-0 to Pittsburg State before getting a 7-6 walk-off win in nine innings in the nightcap.
 
Game One
Kaylee Burnett and Sydney Righi were locked in a pitcher's duel for the first six innings of the opener.  The only run of the opening six frames was a lead-off homer by Mareika Turpen in the second inning that gave Pitt State a 1-0 lead.
Righi would only give up two hits over the next four innings as the Hornets trailed 1-0 going to the seventh.  The Gorillas got three runs in the top of the seventh on two singles and a double to go up 4-0.
Brittanie Shepherd was the only Hornet with multiple hits, going two for three in the game with a stolen base.  Righi went the distance in the circle giving up four runs on eight hits with six strikeouts.
 
Game Two
The Hornets trailed 3-0 after an inning and a half and were down 6-5 going to the bottom of the seventh before rallying for a 7-6 win in nine innings.
Kelsey Phillips got Emporia State their first run of the day when she homered in her first plate appearance since breaking a bone in her hand on February 15.  The Gorillas led 4-1 going to the bottom of the fifth when Phillips led off with a single and scored on Destiny Ojigoh's double.  Maddy Broxterman reached on a bunt single attempting to sacrifice. Ojigoh would score on a fielder's choice by Hannah Steeby when Broxterman avoided a tag at third base to pull the Hornets within 4-3.  Rachel Kauss would tie the game at 4-4 when her ground out drove in Steeby.
Pitt State went up 6-4 with two runs in the top of the sixth as Kerrigan Dixon was relieved by Brylie Bassett.  Emporia State got one of the runs back in the bottom of the inning on a leadoff homer over the fence in left by Gabby Biondo.  Steeby led off the seventh with a single up the middle, then stole second and took third when the throw went into centerfield. Steeby scored to tie the game on a ground out to second by Kauss.
Broxterman led off the ninth with a single through the right side and stole second.  After holding at second on a ground out, Broxterman stole third and would score the game winner on Roni Raines single through the right side.
Kelsey Phillips was two for four with two runs and an RBI while Maddy Broxterman went two for four with a run scored. Brylie Bassett worked the final 4.0 innings to pick up her first win, allowing one run on two hits with five strikeouts and three walks.
 
The Hornets are back in action on Saturday when they play host to Missouri Southern.  First pitch of the double header at the Trusler Sports Complex is set for 12 noon.