Midweek Matchup for Emporia State softball vs Drury

Softball | 3/21/2023 3:12:00 PM

Emporia State Hornets (14-10, 0-2 MIAA)
vs. Drury Panthers (15-13, 3-1 GLVC)
Wednesday, March 22 • 3:00 p.m. (DH)
Emporia, KS • Turnbull Field/Trusler Sports Complex
Series Record: Series tied 3-3 • Last Meeting: at DU 7, ESU 1 (March 19, 2022)
Radio: None Video Stream: The MIAA Network
Live Stats • Ticket Info • Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: Central Missouri
Friday, March 24 • 3:00 p.m. (DH)
Emporia, KS • Turnbull Field/Trusler Sports Complex

BACK AT IT
Emporia State returns to the mainland to take on Drury in a non-conference double header after spending Spring Break in Hawai'i.

LAST AT BAT
Emporia State earned a split on their final day in Hawai'i. The Hornets defeated Hawai'i Pacific 3-2 in eight innings in the matinee before falling 9-8 to the Sharks in the nightcap. In game one Emma Furnish and Lexi Williams both went one for three with a run scored and an RBI. Gracie Rabe went 7.1 innings allowing two unearned runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Game two saw Ari Cordova go two for three with two RBI and a run scored while Haley Garnett had two RBI and a run scored. Rabe took the loss, giving up two runs on four hits in 2.1 innings.

THE COACHES
April Rosales is 189-189 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. She is 1-2 against Drury.
Jerry Breaux is 144-103 in his sixth year at Drury and 883-511-2 in his 30th season overall. He is 2-0 against ESU.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 14-10 overall and 0-2 in the MIAA. The Hornets lead the MIAA and are ranked 13th in the nation in stolen bases. Lexi Williams is 15 of 16, Abbey Ward is 14 of 15, and Ari Cordova is 11 of 11 on stolen base attempts this year. Cordova is batting .341 with 14 RBI despite missing eight games with an injury. Gracie Rabe is 5-3 with a 1.91 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 51.1 innings. Six Hornets have pitched at least 7.0 innings this year.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS
Drury is 15-13 overall, 3-1 in the GLVC and have won five of their last six games - all at home. They are 1-7 against the MIAA this season.

SERIES HISTORY
The series is tied 3-3 but this will be the first meeting in Emporia.

LAST MEETING
In their final road non-conference games of the season, Emporia State softball was swept at Drury, falling 2-1 in the first game and 7-1 in the second.

ON DECK
The Hornets return to MIAA play on Friday against Central Missouri. First pitch of the 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. She is 189-189 with an MIAA Tournament Championship, two MIAA Tournament title game appearances, and an appearance in the NCAA Central Sub-Regional Championship Game.
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 20 games with 18 starts for the Hornets. Garnett is hitting .271 this season with two home runs, one double, 12 RBI and nine runs scored.
Second Baseman McKensy Glass (Jr./Wichita, KS) is in her junior season for Emporia State and is hitting .245 across her 22 starts with a .369 on-base percentage. Glass has seven RBI while scoring eight runs and stealing three bases.
Shortstop Abbey Ward (Sr./Olathe, KS) has played in 133 games in her career including starts in all 24 games for the Hornets this season. Ward is batting .224 with a .388 on-base percentage. She has six doubles and has driven in three runs while scoring 18 of her own. She is fifth in career stolen bases for the Hornets with 88 in her career, including 14 on 15 attempts this season to rank second in the MIAA.  
Third Basemen Roni Raines (Sr./Topeka, KS) is in her senior season with the Hornets and has started all 24 games this season and is leading Emporia State with 17 RBI on the season. She is hitting .264 a .299 on base percentage. 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.
Designated player Ari Cordova (Sr./Fort Collins, CO) is in her first season with the Hornets after transferring from Butler CC. She is batting .341 across her 16 games played with three doubles, a triple, a home run, 14 RBI and 11 runs scored. Cordova is also 11 of 11 on stolen base attempts.

OUT IN THE FIELD
Outfielder Lexi Williams (Jr./Hutchinson, KS) has started all 24 games for the Hornets this season with a .274 batting average, eight RBI and 16 runs scored. She is leading the MIAA with 15 stolen bases in 16 attempts.
Outfielder Alexis Dial (Jr./Topeka, KS) has started all 24 games for the Hornets and is batting .258 with two home runs, ten RBI and 13 runs scored.
Outfielder Emma Furnish (Jr./Goddard, KS) is batting .333 with an .867 OPS through 24 games. She has one double, two triples, one home run, ten RBI and 16 runs scored for the Hornets.

BEHIND THE PLATE
Catcher Bailey Flewelling (Jr./Holton, KS) has 18 starts at catcher this year.  She is batting .192 in 26 at bats.
Utility Sophia Rockhold (So./Oskaloosa, KS) has played in 16 games and made 13 starts for the Hornets. She holds a .231 batting average with a double, six RBI and four runs scored.

IN THE CIRCLE
Pitcher Gracie Rabe (So./Rossville, KS) is in her second season with the Hornets and has a 1.91 ERA across 51.1 innings while making six starts in ten appearances. Rabe is 5-3 and has recorded 28 strikeouts while allowing 11 walks.
Pitcher Sydney Righi (Gr./Blue Springs, MO) has started five games in the circle and made ten appearances for the Hornets this season. She has a 2-1 record across 32.0 innings pitched with a 3.28 ERA. She has recorded 18 strikeouts and allowed eight walks.
Pitcher Josie Harrison (Sr./St. Mary's, KS) is in her senior season with the Hornets and has pitched in eight games while making six starts. Harrison holds a 2-3 record and a 4.59 ERA through 29.0 innings pitched. She has 22 strikeouts on the season.
Pitcher Jayda VanAckeren (Jr./St. Mary's, KS) has pitched 25.1 innings this season for Emporia State across nine appearances, while making four starts.