February 4, 2024 – Emporia State took home a split on the final day of the Mankato Dome Tournament, falling in game one 8-0 against Minnesota State before beating Southwest Minnesota 11-0 in game two.
Game 1 vs. Minnesota State
Emporia State was retired in order in the opening frame before Minnesota State scored two runs on three hits in the bottom half to take a 2-0 lead.
The Hornets were again retired in order in the second and the Mavericks scored four more runs the lead for the hosts increased to 6-0.
Both teams were held scoreless over the next three innings with the Hornets lone hit coming on a bunt single from
Abbey Ward in the top of the fourth.
Two more runs for Minnesota State in the bottom of the sixth gave the Mavericks the 8-0 win in game one on Sunday.
Game 2 vs. Southwest Minnesota
Emporia State jumped in front of the Mustangs in the first inning with the help of a two-out rally. With two outs, a single from
Haley Garnett and double from
Bailey Flewelling put two runners in scoring position for
Alexis Dial who singled up the middle to put Emporia State ahead 2-0.
After
Josie Harrison retired Southwest Minnesota in order in the bottom half, the Hornets put together an eight-run second inning.
Following a leadoff walk and a pair of bunt singles from the Hornets,
Juliana De Luna drove in two runs with a single up the middle. Two more runs came from and RBI single by
Haley Garnett and a sacrifice fly by
Alexis Dial to give Emporia State a 6-0 lead.
The Mustangs made a pitching change with the bases loaded before the Hornets added four more runs with the held of a single, sacrifice fly and two Southwest Minnesota errors as the Hornets led 10-0 through two innings.
Both teams were held scoreless in the third inning before Emporia State added one more run in the top of the fourth.
Emma Furnish reached on an error and
Abbey Ward singled to open the inning and
Juliana De Luna drove in Furnish with a sacrifice fly to give the Hornets an 11-0 lead.
Josie Harrison retired the Mustangs in order in the fourth and fifth innings to complete the 11-0 run rule win for the Hornets.
Alexis Dial went 2-3 with three RBI and
Juliana De Luna went 1-2 with a walk and three RBI and a run scored.
Bailey Flewelling,
Haley Garnett and
Abbey Ward each recorded two hits.
Josie Harrison recorded the win with 5.0 innings pitched allowing just one hit with three strikeouts.
Emporia State will travel to Bentonville, Ark. on February 9-11 for the Alvy Early Memorial Classic. The Hornets will take on East Central in game one on February 9 at 11:00 a.m.
NOTES
With a stolen base against Southwest Minnesota,
Abbey Ward reached 108 career stolen bases, passing Abby Hughes (2009-11) for fourth in Hornet Softball program history.
