February 10, 2024 – Emporia State softball took home two wins on day two of the Alvy Early Memorial Classic. The Hornets rallied for a 10-9 win against Harding in game one and capped the day off with a 9-5 win over William Jewell.
Game 1
Emporia State got the scoring started in their matchup with the Bisons as they scored two runs in the top of the first.
Abbey Ward led off with a double and after a bunt single from
Lexi Williams, a fielding error from Harding and an RBI single from
Alexis Dial gave the Hornets a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first, Harding responded with six runs of the own on three hits and two errors. The opening run for the Bisons came on a throwing error and they were able add five more runs with two outs as the Hornets trailed 6-2.
Following a scoreless second for Emporia State, Harding added three runs on four hits as their lead swelled to 9-2.
The comeback for Emporia State began in the third inning as back-to-back singles from
Lexi Williams and
Alexis Dial, an error from the Bisons, and a two-run home run from
Bailey Flewelling made the score 9-5.
Following a scoreless inning in the circle for relief pitcher
Kelly Hipsher, Emporia State added another run in the fourth on an RBI double from
Alexis Dial.
Emporia State would add another run in the top of the sixth as
Abbey Ward hit a solo home run to lead off the inning and trim the deficit to 9-7.
After a scoreless relief inning from
Jayda VanAckeren in the bottom of the sixth, the Hornets looked to rally in the seventh.
The inning started with a single from
Haley Garnett and
Josie Harrison reaching on an error to put two runners on with no outs.
Emma Furnish pinch-hit for the Hornets and delivered a three-run go ahead home run to put Emporia State ahead 10-9.
In the bottom of the seventh, VanAckeren was able to strand a leadoff single to clinch the 10-9 win for the Hornets over the Bisons.
Abbey ward and
Alexis Dial each had three hits in game one while Dial,
Bailey Flewelling and
Emma Furnish all had multiple RBI.
Game 2
Both the Hornets and Cardinals were held scoreless in the first inning before Emporia State struck first in the top of the second.
With one out in the inning,
Haley Garnett and
Josie Harrison hit back-to-back home runs to put the Hornets ahead 2-0.
William Jewell used two hits and an error in the bottom half to grab a run back and trim the Emporia State lead to 2-1.
Emporia State would respond by scoring five runs on four hits in the top of the third. With two outs and the bases loaded,
Haley Garnett drew a walk for her second RBI of the game and was followed by back-to-back two RBI singles by
Josie Harrison and
Avery Brewer as the Hornet lead swelled to 7-1.
Following a scoreless fourth from both teams, the Cardinals scored four runs on three hits in the fifth as the Emporia State lead closed to 7-5 entering the final two frames.
Both teams were held scoreless in the sixth before Emporia State added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh.
The Hornets started with three consecutive singles before scoring two runs on a fielding error and an RBI single from
McKensy Glass to build a 9-5 lead.
Emporia State allowed one hit to the Cardinals in the bottom half but kept them off the board to clinch the 9-5 win in game two and the sweep on day two of the Alvy Early Classic.
Josie Harrison and
McKensy Glass each went 3-4 with Harrison driving in three runs.
Haley Garnett and
Avery Brewer each recorded two RBI while
Lexi Williams and
Bailey Flewelling had two-hit games.
Jordan Harrison recorded her first career win with four earned runs allowed across 4.1 innings with three strikeouts.
Kelly Hipsher recorded the final eight outs with just two hits allowed for her second save of the season.
Emporia State will return to action on February 16-18 as they host the ESU Classic from Trusler Sports Complex.
