April 24, 2022-After getting shut out in the first game, Emporia State softball came back to knock off #8 Rogers State in the nightcap and earn a split of their double header at the Trusler Sports Complex. The Hillcats won game one 4-0 before the Hornets took game two 6-2.
Game one
Andrea Morales tossed a one hit shutout and the Hillcats used two home runs to take a 4-0 win over the Hornets in the matinee.
A passed ball led to an unearned run for Rogers State in the first inning. Nicole Price singled and went to second on the passed ball before scoring on a two out single by Abbey Rogers. It would remain a one run game until Elexis Watson led off the fifth inning with a home to make it 2-0 Hillcats. Rogers hit a two run home in the sixth give Rogers State a 4-0 lead before Emporia State got their first hit of the game, a single by
Josie Harrison, in the bottom of the sixth.
Gracie Rabe took the loss for the Hornets, giving up four runs, two of the earned, in 6.0 innings with three strikeouts and no walks.
Sydney Righi worked a perfect seventh in relief.
Game two
The Hornets got ahead early and cruised to a 6-2 win over the eighth ranked Hillcats in the nightcap. It is the highest ranked team Emporia State has defeated since knocking off then #5 Winona State 3-1 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on May 10, 2018.
Brittanie Shepherd got things started for the Hornets with a four pitch walk to lead off the bottom of the first. She went to second on a sac bunt and with two outs advanced to third on a throwing error by the Hillcats third baseman. With
Maddy Broxterman at first base, Emporia State tried a delayed double steal and Shepherd was able to score as Broxterman drew a throw.
Shepherd started another rally in the third inning by drawing a lead off walk. She went to second a single by
Lexi Williams before Rogers State changed pitchers. Courtney Hill replaced M'Kayla Hillman and after Shepherd and Williams executed a double steal
Abbey Ward singled them both in to give Emporia State a 3-0 lead.
Sydney Righi responded with a shutdown inning in the top of the fourth, retiring the Hillcats in order on just six pitches.
Alexis Dial led off the bottom of the fourth with a single up the middle and went to second on a sac bunt and to third on a ground out. Shepherd walked before Williams lifted a fly ball that fell between the first baseman and right fielder allowing Dial to score and give the Hornets a 4-0 lead.
Righi threw another 1-2-3 inning, this time on eight pitches, in the top of the fifth. One out walks by
McKensy Glass and
Josie Harrison forced another pitching change by Rogers State. Kaci Phelps replaced Hill and promptly walked Dial to load the bases.
Bailey Flewelling hit a ground ball to short and the throw home was dropped by the catcher allowing Glass to score.
Karly Johnson then reached on a fielder's choice at second that plated Harrison and put the Hornets up 6-0.
Abbey Rogers hit a two run homer with one out in the top of the sixth to get the Hillcats on the board. They would two more on before Righi got pinch hitter Bridgett Morales to hit a comebacker to the circle for the final out of the inning.
A line drive double play ended the Hornets scoring threat in the bottom of the sixth as they took a 6-2 lead to the seventh. Kimberli Presnell led off the top of the seventh for the Hillcats with a single to left center. Dial ran down a live drive near the left field line by Chelsea Spain for the first out and kept Presnell at first. Nicole Price the hit one straight back to Righi who turned and threw to second for the force out. Lana Gass then popped up to Righi for the final out.
Lexi Williams was three for three a run scored and an RBI while
Abbey Ward went one for four with two RBI.
Brittanie Shepherd had three walks and scored two runs.
Sydney Righi went the distance in the circle, scattering eight hits with no walks as she allowed just the two runs.
Emporia State is back in action on Monday afternoon when they play host to Northeastern State. First pitch for game one of the double header is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
