HORNET SOFTBALL SWEPT AT NORTHWEST MISSOURI

April 2, 2021-Emporia State was swept on Friday afternoon at Northwest Missouri falling 5-4 and 12-2 in Maryville, Mo.
 
Game one
Emporia State had the tying run on base in the seventh but could bring her home in a 5-4 loss in the matinee.
Kelsey Phillips gave the Hornets a 1-0 lead with a leadoff home run in the second inning and the Hornets scored two more in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead. Gabby Biondo and Kerrigan Dixon hit back to back doubles to lead off the fourth and Destiny Ojigoh had an RBI ground out in the inning. 
The Bearcats scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth on a hit batter, two doubles and a two run home run to take a 4-3 lead. Emporia State was able to turn a double play to end the inning and avoid further damage. 
The Hornets tied the game in the top of the fifth when Roni Raines scored as Biondo reached on an error by the Bearcat pitcher. Northwest took the lead in the bottom of the sixth on a two out RBI double by Madison Friest.
The Hornets got the tying run on base in the seventh when Emma Furnish worked a two out walk but they could not score the run.
Dixon was two for three with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Phillips was one for three with a solo home run at the plate.  She scattered seven hits that allowed five runs while striking out five and not allowing a walk.
 
Game Two
The Bearcats scored 12 runs on 11 hits including three home runs in the first three innings on the way to the 12-2 victory in the night cap.
Northwest scored two in the first and then got four on a grand slam by Kaitlyn Weis in the second to go up 6-0. Olivia Daugherty hit a three run homer and Weis hit another solo shot in the third to give the Bearcats a 12-0 lead.
Emporia State got on the board in the fourth when Roni Raines singled, went to second on an infield hit by Kerrigan Dixon and scored on Gabby Biondo's RBI double.  They added another run in the top of the fifth when Abby Dial led off with a single and went to second on an error that allowed pinch hitter Jenna Spence to reach base.  Bailey Flewelling delivered a pinch hit single to drive in Dial and send Emma Furnish, who had re-entered to run for Spence,  to third base. Raines then hit a ground ball to third that turned into a game ending double play when Furnish was thrown out at home trying to score.
Biondo was one for two with a double and an RBI.
 
Emporia State will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Missouri Western.  First pitch of the double header is set for 12 noon in St. Joseph, Mo.