February 24, 2024 – Emporia State softball added two more wins to their winning streak with wins over Augustana and Minnesota Crookston on day two of the Washburn Invitational in Topeka. The Hornets took down the Vikings 3-2 in eight innings and the Golden Eagles 9-1 in five innings as their winning streak increased to 12 games.
Game 1 (ESU 3, AU 2)
Emporia State opened the scoring in their first game on Saturday as
Alexis Dial homered in the first to put the Hornets ahead 1-0.
After two scoreless innings for the Vikings, Augustana tied the game 1-1 with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the third. Emporia State would regain their lead in the top of the fourth as they used a pair of two-out hits, including an RBI single from
Bailey Flewelling as the Hornets lead 2-1.
Emporia State carried their 2-1 lead into the seventh inning and with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Augustana rallied with two outs to tie the game 2-2 and force extras.
With a runner placed on second, Emporia State used a bunt single and a sacrifice fly from
Josie Harrison to take a 3-2 lead. Augustana advanced their runner to third with one out but
Gracie Rabe retired the Vikings' next two hitters to clinch the 3-2 win on Saturday morning.
Bailey Flewelling went 3-3 with an RBI.
Alexis Dial went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Gracie Rabe picked up her third win of the season as she threw 5.2 relief innings with four hits allowed and one earned run.
Game 2 (ESU 9, UMC 1)
Both teams were retired in order through the first two innings before Emporia State broke through in the bottom of the third with seven runs.
In the third, the Hornets got RBI from
Emma Furnish,
Abbey Ward,
Alexis Dial,
Bailey Flewelling and
Josie Harrison as they totaled seven runs on eight hits to build a 7-0 lead.
Emporia State starter kept the Vikings off the board in the fourth before Emporia State added two more runs in the bottom half. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth,
Bailey Flewelling singled to drive in a pair of runs to extend the lead to 9-0.
Minnesota Crookston picked up a run in the fifth against Harrison but the Hornets starter stranded a pair of runners to clinch the 9-1 win in five innings.
Five different Hornets recorded an RBI with
Bailey Flewelling leading the way, going 2-3 with three RBI in the game.
Josie Harrison also went 2-3 and had an RBI and a run scored.
In the circle,
Jordan Harrison allowed one hit and one earned run across five innings while striking out nine batters.
Emporia State will conclude the Washburn Invitational with two games on Sunday, February 25. Game one on day three for the Hornets is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. against Maryville.
