February 25, 2024 – Emporia State softball's winning streak grew to 14 games as they swept their Sunday doubleheader on the final day of the Washburn Invitational. The Hornets defeated Maryville 15-0 in five innings in game one before capping the day with a 9-6 win over Sioux Falls.
Game 1 (ESU 15, MU 0)
Emporia State quickly jumped in front of Maryville as
Abbey Ward hit a leadoff home run in the first to put the Hornets ahead 1-0. In the bottom of the first, Maryville was held scoreless by
Josie Harrison despite a pair of fielding errors as the Hornets held onto their 1-0 lead.
In the second, Harrison helped herself with a two-run home run to boost the lead to 3-0. Emporia State would grab another run in the inning on an RBI double from
Abbey Ward as the Hornets led 4-0.
Josie Harrison continued to keep Maryville off the board before the Emporia State offense exploded for ten runs in the third inning.
The Hornets got RBI walks from
Emma Furnish,
Abbey Ward,
Lexi Williams and
Alexis Dial to open the inning with four runs before
Haley Garnett cleared the bases with a grand slam to push the lead to 12-0. A solo home run from
Bailey Flewelling and a run from
Josie Harrison on a fielding error rounded out the ten-run third as Emporia State led the Saints 14-0.
An RBI triple from
Alexis Dial added a final run in the fourth as the Hornets took down the Saints 15-0.
In the circle,
Josie Harrison pitched five shutout innings with three hits allowed and two strikeouts to pick up her third win of the season.
Haley Garnett went 1-3 with four RBI on grand slam in the third inning.
Alexis Dial and
Josie Harrison each had two RBI.
Game 2 (ESU 9, USF 6)
Emporia State fell behind in the top of the first as the Cougars used three hits, including a two-run home run to jump ahead 2-0. The Hornets bounced back in the bottom half as RBI singles from
Alexis Dial and
Bailey Flewelling tied the game 2-2.
After
Jayda VanAckeren retired Sioux Falls in order in the second inning before the Hornets took the lead in the bottom half. With two outs,
Abbey Ward was hit by a pitch and then stole second. Ward would come around to score on an infield single from
Lexi Williams to put the Hornets ahead 3-2.
Sioux Falls grabbed a run back in the third to tie the game at 3-3 before Emporia State regained the lead in the bottom half for the final time.
Bailey Flewelling launched a solo home run to center field and gave Emporia State the 4-3 advantage.
Kelly Hipsher took over in the circle in the top of the fourth and retired the Cougars to bring the Hornets back to the plate.
In the bottom half of the fourth, the Hornets loaded the bases for
Lexi Williams who drove in two runs with a sacrifice bunt.
Alexis Dial followed Williams and lifted a two-run home run to left field, increasing the Emporia State advantage to 8-3. Following a Sioux Falls pitching change,
Bailey Flewelling homered for the second consecutive at-bat and increased the lead to 9-3.
Sioux Falls grabbed three runs in the top of the fifth to trim the Emporia State lead to 9-6 but were unable to inch close over the final two innings.
Jordan Harrison recorded the final nine outs without allowing a hit to help the Hornets push their winning streak to 14 games with the 9-6 win over the Cougars.
Bailey Flewelling went 3-3 with two home runs and three RBI.
Alexis Dial went 2-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Lexi Williams went 2-3 with two RBI.
Emporia State will return to action on Friday, March 8 as they travel to Wichita for a doubleheader against Newman to open MIAA action. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
NOTES:
With her stolen base in the second inning against Sioux Falls,
Abbey Ward passed Taylor Zordel (2012-15) for third in career stolen bases in program history with 116.
