February 10, 2023-Emporia State opened the 2023 softball season with a split on day one of the Lubbock Sports College Challenge on Friday in Lubbock, Texas. The Hornets opened with a 3-1 win over Minot State before falling 9-0 to the host Lady Chaps.
Game One
The Hornets got three hits from
Ari Cordova and a complete game from
Gracie Rabe in a 3-1 win over Minot State.
Lexi Williams led off the bottom of the first with a triple and would score on a single through the left side by Cordova to take a 1-0 lead. The duo would team up again in the third inning when Williams reached on an infield single and with two outs would score on a Cordova double to make it 2-0.
The Beavers got on the board in the fourth without the benefit of a hit. A lead off walk, ground out and error made it 2-1 headed to the bottom of the inning.
Roni Raines doubled in Cordova to give the Hornets an insurance run in the top of the sixth. The Hornets were able to turn a game ending double play in the top of the seventh to secure the win.
Cordova went three for three with two RBI and a run scored while Williams was two for three with two runs scored.
Rabe went the distance in the circle, allowing one run on four hits with two walks and a strikeout.
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Game Two
Lubbock Christian used a five run second inning to take control on the way to a 9-0 win in five innings.
The Lady Chaps scored one run in the first before exploding for five runs on six hits with a Hornet error in the second. The added another run in the third to go up 7-0 before Emporia State had a base runner.
Abbie Ward was hit by a pitch in the top of the fourth but was stranded. LCU scored two more in the bottom of the fourth to take a 9-0 lead.Â
Alexis Dial led off the top of the fifth with a single but was thrown out trying to go to second.
Sydney Righi went 1.2 innings as the starter before getting relieved by
Jayda VanAckeren in the second.
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Emporia State will be back in action on Saturday when they take on Chadron State at 11:00 a.m. and UT-Permian Basin at 4:00 p.m.
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