EMPORIA STATE SOFTBALL TO HOST SENIOR WEEKEND

Softball | 4/16/2021 10:20:00 AM

Emporia State Hornets (15-17, 5-9 MIAA)
vs. Newman Jets (6-23, 4-14 MIAA)
Saturday, April 17 • 12:00 p.m. (DH) • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: ESU leads 17-3 • Last Meeting: ESU 10, at NU 4 (4/2/19)
Live Stats: esuhornets.com Video Stream: themiaanetwork.com/esuhornets
Radio: KFFX 104.9FM Audio Stream: kvoe.com
vs. #16 Central Oklahoma Bronchos (24-8, 13-3 MIAA)
Sunday, April 18 • 12:00 p.m. (DH) • Trusler Sports Complex • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: UCO leads 31-27 • Last Meeting: at UCO 10, ESU 4 (4/19/19)
Live Stats: esuhornets.com Video Stream: themiaanetwork.com/esuhornets
Radio: None Audio Stream: None
Next Up: at Missouri Southern • Saturday, April 24 • 1:00 p.m. (DH)
Pat Lipira Softball Complex • Joplin, Mo.

SENIOR WEEKEND
Emporia State plays their final home games of the season against Newman and Central Oklahoma.

LAST AT BAT
Emporia State split a double header against Lincoln on Saturday afternoon, winning the first game 8-4 and falling 10-5 in the second game.
Destiny Ojigoh went two for three with three RBI while Roni Raines was one for three with three RBI.  Kelsey Phillips went 4.0 innings allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Bryie Basset worked the final 3.0 innings and gave up one unearned run on one hit with four strikeouts in the opener.
 Lincoln had two big innings and Emporia State could not come back from them in a 10-5 loss in the nightcap. Gabby Biondo went three for four with two RBI and a run scored for Emporia State.

THE COACHES
April Huddleston-Rosales is 144-143 in her sixth year as the head coach at Emporia State. She served as an assistant for seven seasons. She was a member of both the Hornets national runner-up teams in 2006 and 2008. She is 4-2 against Newman and 1-10 against Central Oklahoma.
Andrea Gustafson is 15-39 in her second year with the Jets. This is her first meeting with Emporia State.
Cody White is 289-118 in his eighth year as head coach for the Bronchos.  He is 15-6 against Emporia State.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets are 15-18, 5-9 in the MIAA. They are batting .262 with a 4.09 team ERA and .965 fielding percentage. Emporia State leads the MIAA in stolen bases with Abbey Ward second 17 thefts and Gabby Biondo third with 16 stolen bases. Kelsey Phillips is tenth in the MIAA with a 2.68 ERA.

KNOW THE FOES
Newman is 6-23, 4-14 in the MIAA. They are batting .272 and have a 6.93 team ERA and .944 fielding percentage. Taylor Ullery is seventh in the MIAA with eight home runs.
Central Oklahoma is 24-8, 13-3 in the MIAA. They are batting .298 with a 2.68 team ERA and league best .982 fielding percentage. Shayla Harper is third in the MIAA with 10 homers and a .787 slugging percentage.

SERIES HISTORY
The Hornets lead the all-time series 17-3 against Newman and trail UCO 31-27.

LAST AT BATS
The Hornets scored seven in the top of the seventh inning of an 11-4 win. Gabby Biondo went four for four with a triple and run scored.
Emporia State fell 10-4 to #2 Central Oklahoma. Gabby Biondo and Hannah Steeby each went two for three with two runs scored for the Hornets.  

ON DECK
The Hornets play at Missouri Southern on April 24. First pitch in Joplin is at 1:00 p.m.