EMPORIA STATE SWEEPS SATURDAY ACTION AGAINST SOUTHERN

EMPORIA STATE SWEEPS SATURDAY ACTION AGAINST SOUTHERN
Hornets get 9-1 and 4-2 wins on Saturday.
March 7, 2020 – Emporia State got two MIAA wins with a double header sweep of Missouri Southern on Saturday at Trusler Sports Complex. The Hornets got the run-rule victory in game one 9-1 and then took game two 4-2.
Emporia State 9, Missouri Southern 1 (5 innings)
The Hornets fell behind 1-0 in the top half of the first inning when the Lions got a two out double from Erika Lutgen to score Josie Topfi. In bottom of the inning, a walk and back to back hits with one out gave the Hornets the lead 2-1. After Roni Raines drew the walk, Rachel Kauss hit an RBI double to tie the game. Kelsey Phillips followed Kauss with a single on a full count to drive Kauss in from second.
In the fourth inning, the Hornets were able to bat around and blow open the game. Destiny Ojigoh led off the inning with a walk and two batters later, Hannah Steeby hit a home run to left center. Roni Raines doubled and forced a pitching change from the Lions. Kauss then singled to score Raines. Phillips then doubled and advanced on a throwing error that allowed Kauss to come around to score. Gabby Biondo scored Phillips on a fielder's choice groundout. After Shepherd reach first on a fielder's choice, two consecutive walks loaded the bases. Madi Broxterman was hit by a pitch to push across the sixth run of the inning to make the score 8-1.
In the fifth inning, Kauss singled with one out and Biondo reached with two outs on a bunt single. Brylie Bassett, who pinch hit for Shepherd doubled to left center to score Kauss and end the game 9-1.
Kerrigan Dixon pitched all five innings for the Hornets to pick up her sixth win of the season giving up just one earned run on four hits while striking out four.
 
Emporia State 4, Missouri Southern 2
Missouri Southern jumped out to an early lead in the top half of the first for the second time in two games. After a leadoff walk from Elizabeth Windsor, Makaila Leonhart reached on a fielder's choice that resulted in an error at second base. Josie Topfi singled up the middle to score Windsor from second.
It took until the third inning for the Hornets to break through. Two consecutive hits from Madi Broxterman and Hannah Steeby placed runners in scoring position. An error by the shortstop scored Broxterman before Kauss walked to load the bases. Phillips then reached on a fielder's choice and scored Steeby from third. Biondo laid down a sacrifice bunt to move runners into scoring position and was followed by a two RBI single off the bat of Shepherd which made the lead 4-1.
Southern would add one more run on an RBI single from Emily Harris in the fourth inning to make the score 4-2.
Sydney Righi went the distance in the circle to get her fifth win of the season giving up two runs, on three hits while striking out two.
 
Emporia State is back in action on Tuesday when they host William Jewell College. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Trusler Sports Complex.