Spring break trip to Hawaii for Emporia State softball

Softball | 3/13/2023 5:05:00 PM

Emporia State Hornets (13-7, 0-2 MIAA)
at Hawaii Pacific Sharks (9-16, 5-7 PacWest)
Tues., March 14 • 1:00 p.m. (HT) (DH) • Kaneohe, HI • Howard A. Okita Field
Series Record: First Meeting • Last Meeting: First Meeting
Live Stream • Live Stats
at Chaminade Silverswords (9-11, 4-8 PacWest)
Wed., March 15 • 2:00 p.m. (HT) (DH) • Honolulu, HI • Silversword Field
Thurs., March 16 • 2:00 p.m. (HT) (DH) • Honolulu, HI • Silversword Field
Series Record: First Meeting • Last Meeting: First Meeting
Live Stream • Live Stats
Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: Drury
March 22 • Emporia, KS • Turnbull Field/Trusler Sports Complex

ALOHA SPRING BREAK
Emporia State travels to Hawai'i for six games during Spring Break. This is the first trip to the islands for the Hornets.

LAST AT BAT
The Hornets dropped two games to #6 Central Oklahoma on March 10 at the Trusler Sports Complex in their last outing before heading to Hawai'i. Emporia State had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh of a 5-1 loss in game one. Alexis Dial was two for three for ESU in the matinee. The Hornets led the Bronchos 2-1 headed into the fifth  of a 7-2 loss in game two. Abbey Ward was two for four with a stolen base in the night cap.

THE COACHES
April Rosales is 188-186 in her eighth season at Emporia State. She has taken the Hornets to two MIAA Championship game, the 2018 NCAA Central Sub-Regional championship game and won the 2018 MIAA Tournament Championship.
Jarnett Lono is 98-113 in her sixth season as head coach at Hawaii Pacific.
Kent Yamaguchi is 212-539 in his 18th year as head coach at Chaminade.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 13-7 overall and 0-2 in the MIAA. The Hornets lead the MIAA and are ranked 21st in the nation in stolen bases with 53 stolen bases. Lexi Williams is 12 of 13 while Abbey Ward is 11 of 12 on stolen base attempts this year. Ari Cordova is batting .353 with 12 RBI despite missing eight games with an injury. Gracie Rabe is 4-2 with a 2.02 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 41.2 innings in the circle. Six Hornets have pitched at least 7.0 innings this year.

ABOUT THE SHARKS
Hawai'i Pacific is 9-16 on the season and 5-7 in the Pac West Conference.  They opened the season 0-7 during a trip to California but are 9-9 in Hawai'i with wins in four of their last five games.

ABOUT THE SILVERSWORDS
Chaminade is 9-11 overall and 4-8 in the Pac West. They have not left Oahu this season and have won two of their last three games.

ON DECK
The Hornets return to the Trusler Sports Complex to take on Drury on March 22 at. First pitch of the non-conference double header is set for 3:00 p.m.

IN THE DUGOUT
April Rosales is in her eighth season leading the Emporia State softball program. Through the opening weekend of the 2023 season, her record as head coach is 188-186. Since taking over the program in 2016, Rosales 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 also a member of Emporia State softball during her playing days which included an run to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2008 which resulted in a National Runner-Up finish. During the 2008 season, she hit .324 with 30 RBI while playing nearly every game at shortstop for the Hornets. She was named First Team All-MIAA that season.

AROUND THE DIAMOND
First Basemen Haley Garnett (Jr./Olathe, KS) is in her first season with Emporia State and has played in 16 games for the Hornets. Garnett is hitting .324 this season with two home runs, one double, ten RBI and six runs scored.
Third Basemen Roni Raines (Sr./Topeka, KS) is in her senior season with the Hornets and has started all 20 games this season and is leading Emporia State with 16 RBI on the season. In the Washburn Classic, Raines put together back-to-back games with four RBI, including a grand slam in the Hornets' 8-4 comeback win against Wayne State.
Shortstop Abbey Ward (Sr./Olathe, KS) has played in 129 games in her career including starts in all 20 for the Hornets this season. Ward is batting .222 with a .391 on-base percentage. She has 12 hits with four doubles and has driven in three runs while scoring 16 of her own. Ward has also tallied 77 stolen bases in her career, including 11 on 12 attempts this season. She is tied with Caitlin VanVleck (77 from 2015-18) for fifth all-time in Hornet softball history.
Second Baseman McKensy Glass (Jr./Wichita, KS) is in her junior season for Emporia State and is hitting .256 across her 18 starts with a .396 on-base percentage. Glass has 11 hits and five RBI while scoring six runs and stealing three bases.
Designated player Ari Cordova (Sr./Fort Collins, CO) is in her first season with the Hornets after transferring from Butler CC. She is batting .353 across her 12 games played and has 12 hits, four extra-base hits, 12 RBI and nine runs scored. Cordova is also 7-7 on stolen base attempts.
Utility Sophia Rockhold (So./Oskaloosa, KS) has played in 15 games and made 12 starts for the Hornets. She holds a .194 batting average with seven hits, one double, four RBI and four runs scored.

OUT IN THE FIELD
Outfielder Lexi Williams (Jr./Hutchinson, KS) has started all 20 games for the Hornets this season and holds a .403 OBP with 14 hits, nine walks, five RBI and 14 runs scored. Williams also leads the Hornets this season with 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts.
Outfielder Alexis Dial (Jr./Topeka, KS) has started all 20 games for the Hornets and holds a .333 OBP with 15 hits, two home runs, nine RBI and nine runs scored.
Outfielder Emma Furnish (Jr./Goddard, KS) has ateam high .389 average and 1.005 OPS through 20 games. She has one double, two triples, one home run, seven RBI and 14 runs scored for the Hornets.

IN THE CIRCLE
Pitcher Gracie Rabe (So./Rossville, KS) is in her second season with the Hornets and has a 2.02 ERA across 41.2 innings while making five starts in eight appearances. Rabe is 4-2 and has recorded 23 strikeouts while allowing 11 walks.
Pitcher Josie Harrison (Sr./St. Mary's, KS) is in her senior season with the Hornets and has pitched in six games while making five starts. Harrison holds a 2-2 record and a 3.55 ERA through 25.2 innings pitched. She is only allowing a .257 batting average against with 21 strikeouts.
Pitcher Sydney Righi (Gr./Blue Springs, MO) has started four games in the circle and made seven appearances for the Hornets this season. She has a 2-1 record across 24.2 innings pitched. She has recorded 14 strikeouts and allowed seven walks.
Pitcher Jayda VanAckeren (Jr./St. Mary's, KS) has pitched 19.1 innings this season for Emporia State across seven appearances, while making three starts.