February 9, 2024 – Emporia State softball split their two games on day one of the Alvy Early Memorial Classic in Bentonville, Arkansas. The Hornets fell 4-3 against East Central in game one and grabbed a 6-3 win over Arkansas-Monticello in game two.
Game 1
Emporia State got the scoring started in against the Tigers in game one with a two-out RBI double from Bailey Flewelling to score Alexis Dial.
Following two scoreless innings to start the game from Josie Harrison in the circle, Emporia State doubled their advantage with another run in the third inning, this time on an RBI single from Lexi Williams to drive in Abbey Ward.
East Central would put together a rally in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs on four hits as the Tigers took a 3-2 lead against the Hornets.
The Tigers added one more run in the bottom of the fifth as they held a 4-2 lead over Emporia State heading into the final two innings.
After a scoreless sixth, the Hornets were able to grab one back in the seventh on an RBI double from Alexis Dial to trim the deficit to 4-3. Despite advancing to third, Dial was unable to score as a pair of flyouts ended the game with the Hornets falling 4-3.
Emporia State totaled eight hits, including four doubles in the game. The Hornets added three stolen bases with two coming from Abbey Ward and another from Alexis Dial.
Lexi Williams went 3-4 against the Tigers with an RBI and a run scored.
Game 2
Similar to game one, Emporia State jumped ahead in the top of the first against Arkansas-Monticello, this time with four runs in the opening frame.
The Hornets got a leadoff walk from Abbey Ward followed by a single from Lexi Williams before a two RBI double from Alexis Dial drove in two runs for the early lead. McKensy Glass recorded an RBI single that brought around two runs on the throw as Emporia State held a 4-0 lead over the Blossoms.
Jayda VanAckeren held Ark.-Monticello scoreless in the first two innings before the Blossoms broke through with their first run in the bottom of the third on a two-out double.
Emporia State expanded on their lead in the top of the fifth, adding two more runs in the frame. Alexis Dial reached on a one-out single and after stealing second, scored on a two-run home run from Haley Garnett to push the Hornet lead to 6-1.
Arkansas-Monticello would score two runs in the bottom of the fifth but were held scoreless in the final two innings as Emporia State earned the 6-3 win in game two on Friday.
The Hornets tallied nine hits in game two with Lexi Williams and Alexis Dial leading the way with two each. Dial also drove in two runs with Haley Garnett driving in two with her fifth inning home run.
In the circle, Jayda VanAckeren got her first win of the season after going 4.2 innings with three runs allowed on eight hits. Kelly Hipsher got her first save as she went 2.1 innings with just one hit allowed.
Emporia State will return to action in the Alvy Early Memorial Classic on Saturday, February 10 against Harding and William Jewell. Game time for game one against Harding is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. with the matchup against the Cardinals to follow.
