Turnpike Tussle split for Emporia State at Washburn

April 29, 2023-Emporia State earned a split in their final doubleheader of the season on Saturday against Washburn in Topeka. The Hornets won game one 4-2 and fell 3-1 in nine innings in the second game.
 
Game One
Ari Cordova had three RBI as the Hornets took a 4-2 win in the matinee.
Cordova led off the second with a home run to give Emporia State a 1-0 lead.  In the third inning Alexis Dial was hit by a pitch with one out. Roni Raines then laid down a perfect bunt in front of the plate and beat it out to put runners on first and second.  Abbey Ward followed with a single to right to make it2-0.
Washburn tied it in the fourth inning. After three straight singles loaded the bases a walk by Kaylee Wagner forced in the first run.  Marrit Mead then hit a ball to left field that scored a run but Lexi Williams was able to get a force out at third and Gracie Rabe was able to get a fly out and ground out to end the inning and keep any more runs from coming across.
Ward led off the top of the sixth with a walk for the Hornets and went to third on a double by Josie Harrison.  Cordova then delivered a triple to right center to score both runners and give Emporia State a 4-2 lead.
Rabe got two ground outs to start the seventh before a single and an error put runners on second and third.  Dial then snagged a line drive in center field for the final out.
Cordova went two for three with a homer, a triple, three RBI and a run scored. Ward was one for one officially with a stolen base, RBI and run scored. Rabe went the distance, scattering eight hits but allowing just the two runs.
 
Game Two
Sydney Righi and Sadie Walker were engaged in a pitchers duel that went into the ninth inning before Washburn was able to pull out a win in the nightcap.
The two pitchers combined to allow just two hits through the first three innings. In the top of the fourth Josie Harrison hit a double to right center and went to third on Ari Cordova's single up the middle.  Emma Furnish gave the Hornets a 1-0 lead with a single through the left side.
Washburn tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Ellington Hagle led off with a double and went to third on a ground out.  She would score on a sac fly by Jaycee Ginter to even the game at 1-1.
It would stay that way for the next four innings. The Ichabods finally broke through with a two out homer by Kaylee Wagner in the bottom of the ninth to walk off with the win.
Ari Cordova was two for three while Josie Harrison scored a run and Emma Furnish had an RBI for the Hornets. Sydney Righi tossed 8.2 innings allowing three runs on five hits.
 
Emporia State will now await Sunday's results to find out their MIAA Tournament fate.  They are virtually assured of a spot in the tournament but could be either the seventh or eight seed depending on Sunday's outcomes.