Softball | 2/8/2024 11:01:00 AM
Emporia State Hornets (1-5, 0-0 MIAA)
vs. East Central Tigers (2-3, 0-0 GAC)
Friday, Feb. 9 • 11:00 a.m. • Bentonville, Ark.
Series Record: ECU leads 2-1 • Last Meeting: ECU 3, ESU 1 (2/4/17)
vs. Arkansas-Monticello Blossoms (3-3, 0-0 GAC)
Friday, Feb. 9 • 1:30 p.m. • Bentonville, Ark.
Series Record: ESU leads 4-3 • Last Meeting: UAM 5, ESU 1 (2/21/20)
vs. Harding Bisons (2-2, 0-0 GAC)
Saturday, Feb. 10 • 11:00 a.m. • Bentonville, Ark.
Series Record: HU leads 4-3 • Last Meeting: HU 9, ESU 1 (2/11/22)
vs. William Jewell Cardinals (0-0, 0-0 GLVC)
Saturday, Feb. 10 • 1:30 p.m. • Bentonville, Ark.
Series Record: ESU leads 9-8 • Last Meeting: ESU 9, WJC 1 (4/4/23)
Up Next: ESU Classic • Feb. 16-18 • Turnbull Field • Emporia, Kan.
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BOUNCE BACK IN BENTONVILLE
Emporia State travels to Arkansas for the Alvy Early Memorial Classic as they are scheduled for four games across Friday and Saturday.
THE COACHES
April Rosales is 209-207 entering her ninth season at Emporia State. She has taken the Hornets to two MIAA Championship with a win in the 2018 MIAA Championship. Coach Rosales will not be with the team this weekend due to doctor's orders regarding her pregnancy. Assistant Coach Megan Hill will coach in her absence. Hill is entering her first season as the assistant softball coach at Emporia State. Hill was part of the 2006 National Runner-Up team and as a third baseman for the Hornets, Hill earned All-MIAA honors all four years as well as All-Region honors in three seasons and All-American honors in two seasons.
Destini Anderson is 409-404-2 in her 18th season at East Central.
Kyle Lem is 94-120 in his sixth season at Arkansas-Monticello.
Ashley Reeves is 86-34 in her third season at Harding.
Dustin Combs is 408-407 in his 18th season at William Jewell.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is coming off a 33-23 season in 2023 and is 1-5 this season. The Hornets are led offensively by Alexis Dial who is batting .438 with eight RBI. Bailey Flewelling and Abbey Ward are also batting over .350 with .364 and .353 averages respectively. In addition to Ward batting .353, she is 6-6 on stolen bases through the opening weekend and has 108 in her career, ranking fourth in program history. In the circle, Gracie Rabe has a 1.75 ERA in 16 innings pitched with five strikeouts and just two walks allowed.Â
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
East Central is 2-3Â this season. The Tigers have four hitters batting .300 or better through five games this season with Rikki Hadley posting a team-high .375 average with six hits and three RBI. Megan Leski has a team-high two home runs and five RBI for the Tigers.
SCOUTING THE BLOSSOMS
Arkansas-Monticello is 3-3 this season and are coming off a 24-23 record and a trip to the GAC Tournament in 2023. The Blossoms are led offensively by Adrianna Erichsen who is batting .471 with four RBI through six games.
SCOUTING THE BISONS
Harding is 2-2 this season and 46-14 last season with a trip to the NCAA Central Regional. Jordan Cabana is leading the Bisons offense with a .429 average this season.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
William Jewell finished 7-41 last season and return their top four hitters from 2023.
ON DECK
The Hornets will return home as they begin play on Turnbull Field with the hosting of the ESU Classic on February 16-18.
