EASTER WEEKEND BUFFET FOR EMPORIA STATE SOFTBALL

Softball | 4/14/2022 11:46:00 AM

Emporia State Hornets (20-22, 9-7 MIAA)
vs. Pittsburg State Gorillas (21-18, 3-11 MIAA)
Friday, April 15 • 3:00 p.m. (DH) • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: ESU leads 80-56 • Last Meeting: at PSU 6, ESU 3 (3/16/2021)
vs. Missouri Southern Lions (22-15, 10-4 MIAA)
Saturday, April 16 • 1:00 p.m. (DH) • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: MSSU leads 43-42 • Last Meeting: at MSSU 6, ESU 4 (4/26/2021)
Video: The MIAA Network Live Stats: esuhornets.com
Radio: KFFX 104.9FM (Friday Game One Only)
Complete Game Notes in pdf
Up Next: #2 Rogers State
Friday, April 22 • 2:00 p.m. (DH) • Emporia, Kan.

EASTER WEEKEND BUFFET
Emporia State starts Easter weekend with games against Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern at the Trusler Sports Complex.

LAST AT BAT
The Hornets were swept by Rockhurst in non-conference action on Tuesday at Trusler. The Hawks scored the game winning runs in their last at bat in both games, winning 3-1 in the matinee and 8-7 in eight innings in the nightcap. The first game was tied at 1-1 going to the seventh before Rockhurst scored two runs to take the lead. Emporia State had a 6-0 lead going to the sixth inning in game two.

THE COACHES
April Rosales is 170-171 in her seventh year as the head coach at Emporia State. She has taken the Hornets to two MIAA Championship games and the 2018 NCAA Central Sub-Regional Championship game. She was as an assistant coach for ESU for seven seasons and a member of the Hornets national runner-up teams in 2006 and 2008. She is 7-7 against Pitt State and 8-5 against Missouri Southern.
Jenny Fuller is 21-18 in her first year at Pittsburg State and 165-134 in seven years as a head coach. This is her first meeting with Emporia State.
Hallie Blackney  is 82-64-1 in her fourth year at Missouri Southern. She is 2-4 against Emporia State.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
The Hornets are 20-22, 9-7 in the MIAA. Ten of their losses have been by one run with seven coming in their opponents last at bat. They lead the MIAA and are ranked 13th nationally in total stolen bases with Lexi Williams leading the league with 26. Roni Raines has been hit by a pitch a league high 14 times to rank fourth in the nation. Sydney Righi is 6-8 with a 2.68 ERA and Gracie Rabe is 3-4 with a 2.92 ERA as six Hornets have started a game in the circle.

ABOUT THE GORILLAS
Pittsburg State is 21-18, 3-11 in the MIAA. Tayor Lambert is batting .473 to lead the MIAA.
SERIES HISTORY
The Hornets lead the series 80-56.
LAST MEETING
Playing without three starters due to injury, Emporia State dropped both ends of a doubleheader at Pittsburg State falling 5-0 in the first game and 6-3 in the nightcap.

ABOUT THE LIONS
Missouri Southern is 22-15, 10-4 in the MIAA. Lions occupy four of the top five spots in the MIAA in triples.
SERIES HISTORY
The Lions lead the series 43-42.
LAST MEETING
Emporia State fell to Missouri Southern in two tightly contested games in Joplin, Mo. on Monday.  The Hornets lost 4-3 in the first game and 6-4 in the second.

IN THE DUGOUT
April Rosales is 170-171 in her seventh season as the Emporia State head coach and has led the Hornets to an MIAA Tournament Championship, two MIAA Tournament title game appearances, and an appearance in the NCAA Central Sub-Regional Championship. Rosales was a member of Emporia State softball during her playing days which included an run to the NCAA Division II National Championship game in 2008.

OUT IN THE FIELD
Outfielder Brittanie Shepherd (Sr./Kansas City, MO) has started 156 of 157 games in her Hornet career. She is hitting .366 with a .455 on base percentage. She has a .581 average when leading off an inning. She has team-highs of 34 runs, 24 RBI, 15 doubles and two triples.  She is ranked third in the MIAA and 14th in the nation in total doubles.
Outfielder Alexis Dial (So./Topeka, KS) is batting .305 with 28 runs scored, ten doubles and 17 RBI. She has also swiped 20 bases in 25 attempts. She is second in the MIAA in stolen bases and seventh in doubles.
Outfielder Lexi Williams (So./Hutchinson, KS) is leading the MIAA in stolen bases with 26 steals in 29 attempts over 35 games. She is batting .313 with 20 runs and 14 RBI.
Outfielder Emma Furnish (So./Goddard, KS) has scored 17 runs in 33 games with a .302 batting average.

AROUND THE DIAMOND
First baseman Harley Sturm (Fr./Tecumseh, OK) is batting .262 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 34 games. Prior to a single in game two against Rockhurst she had gone hitless in her previous five games following a seven game hitting streak. She is also 5-5 with two saves and a 4.53 ERA in 14 appearances in the circle.
Second baseman Roni Raines (Jr./Topeka, KS) has played in 33 games with 30 starts and has scored 18 runs with 19 RBI. She is batting .256 with a .404 on-base percentage. She has been hit by pitch 14 times to lead the MIAA and rank third in the nation.
Second baseman McKensy Glass (So./Wichita, KS) has scored nine runs and has 14 RBI in 37 games with 28 starts this season. She is batting .247 on the season but her average goes up to .325 with runners on base and .360 with runners in scoring position.
Shortstop Abbey Ward (Jr./Olathe, KS) has started 93 of 95 games in her Emporia State career. She is batting .291 with two home runs, ten RBI and 26 runs scored this year. She is 20 of 20 in stolen bases to rank third in the MIAA.
Third baseman Karly Johnson (So./Lawrence, KS) has 19 RBI and 15 runs scored in 40 games with 36 starts. She has five doubles, a triple and two home runs.
Corner infielder Josie Harrison (Jr./St. Mary's, KS) has a .275 batting average with 13 runs scored and 14 RBI. She is hitting .400 with runners in scoring position. She is also a pitcher and has a 3.07 ERA in 41.0 innings pitched with 35 strikeouts.

BEHIND AND AT THE PLATE
Designated player Maddy Broxterman (Sr./Meriden, KS) is batting .385 with 24 RBI and 13 runs scored in 31 games this season.
Catcher Bailey Flewelling (So./Holton, KS) is batting .283 with seven runs and eighth RBI in 27 starts this season. She has thrown out two base runners this year.

IN THE CIRCLE
Pitcher Sydney Righi (Jr./Blue Springs, MO) has started 14 games with 17 appearances and is the team leader with 75.2 innings pitched. She has a 2.68 ERA with 40 strikeouts and is 6-8 on the year. She is seventh in the MIAA in ERA and tenth in opponents batting average.
Pitcher Gracie Rabe (Fr./Rossville, KS) has a 2.92 ERA in 62.1 innings and is 3-4 on the season. She has ten starts with four complete games, a shutout and a combined shutout while appearing in 16 games. She is ninth in the MIAA in ERA.
Pitcher Josie Harrison (Jr./St. Mary's, KS) is 1-1 with a save and a 3.07 ERA in 41.0 innings pitched. She has 35 strikeouts in 14 appearances with six starts.  
Pitcher Harley Sturm (Fr./Tecumseh, OK) is 5-5 with two saves and a 4.53 ERA in 14 appearances with three starts.
Pitcher Jayda VanAckeren (Fr./Omaha, NE) has pitched in 38.1 innings this season, making seven starts in 13 appearances. She has a 5.84 ERA and has recorded 28 strikeouts.
Pitcher Brylie Bassett (Sr./Oskaloosa, Kan.) is 2-2 with a 3.37 ERA in 11 appearances with two starts. She has ten strikeouts and six walks in 27.0 innings.

ON DECK
The Hornets play host to second ranked Rogers State on Friday, April 22 at the Trusler Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.