March 10, 2024 – Emporia State softball dropped a pair of games on Sunday afternoon against #12 Central Oklahoma. The Hornets fell 6-0 in game one and 10-1 in game against the Bronchos.
Game 1 (UCO 6, ESU 0)
Emporia State got a hit and a walk in the first but stranded two runners without scoring a run. Central Oklahoma got a one-out home run to take a 1-0 lead through the first. After two more hits for the Hornets in the second, Emporia State was again held scoreless and a second solo home run from the Bronchos in the bottom half doubled their lead heading to the third.
Both teams went scoreless in the third and fourth innings before Emporia State used hits and a walk to load the bases with one out in the fifth. A fielder's choice and a lineout left the bases loaded for the Hornets. Central Oklahoma used four hits and an error to add three runs to their total in the bottom half. The Hornets again left two on base in the sixth before the Bronchos added another run to their total, as the Hornets trailed 6-0 heading to the final frame. Emporia State went down in order in the seventh, falling to Central Oklahoma 6-0 in the first game of the doubleheader.
In game one, the Hornets had nine hits and three walks but left 12 runners on base.
Abbey Ward and
Avery Brewer each had two hits in the game.
Game 2 (UCO 10, ESU 1)
Emporia State advanced a runner into scoring position for the second straight with a two-out double from
Alexis Dial but went scoreless heading to the bottom half. Central Oklahoma grabbed their first run of the game in the first with a sac fly to lead the Hornets 1-0.
The Hornets broke through in the second inning to tie the game. With one out, three straight singles from
Avery Brewer,
Josie Harrison and
McKensy Glass loaded the bases for
Emma Furnish. Furnish singled to left to score Brewer and tie the game 1-1. A fielder's choice and a groundout left the bases loaded for the Hornets.
Central Oklahoma responded with five runs on three hits in the bottom of the second, taking a 6-1 lead over the Hornets. In the third, Central Oklahoma grabbed four more runs as their lead increased to 10-1.
Both teams went scoreless in the fourth and the Hornets attempted to put together a rally in the fifth. Back-to-back singles from
Abbey Ward and
Lexi Williams opened the inning and then with two outs,
Haley Garnett drew a walk to load the bases but the Hornets were unable to score as they fell in game two 10-1.
In game two, Emporia State had eight hits but left eight runners on base.
McKensy Glass went 2-2 while six other Hornets each had one hit.
Emporia State will return home for a midweek doubleheader against Drury on Wednesday, March 13 at Trusler Sports Complex. First pitch for the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
