March 29, 2024-Emporia State earned a split of their double header against Missouri Western on Friday afternoon at the Trusler Sports Complex to remain at .500 in the MIAA. The Hornets fell 3-2 in the first game and won 8-5 in the second.
Game 1
The Hornets had the tying run at third with no outs in the bottom of the seventh but could not complete the comeback in a 3-2 loss to the Griffons in the matinee.
Missouri Western got on the board first with an infield single by Taylor Jones that scored Sydney Rader in the top of the second. It would remain 1-0 until the top of the fifth when Jada Collins' RBI double gave MWSU at 2-0 lead and
Jordan Harrison relieved starter
Gracie Rabe in the circle for Emporia State.
The Griffons went up 3-0 in the top of the sixth. With the bases loaded Kalee Higdon singled to right to score one but
Emma Furnish threw out Jones trying to score to keep it a 3-0 game.
After a 1-2-3 top of the seventh by Western, ESU started their comeback.
Josie Harrison singled through the right side to cap off a 12 pitch at bat to lead off the inning.
Juliana De Luna pinch ran fro her and went to third on
Abbey Wards single to right on the next pitch.
Brooke Flewelling followed with another first pitch single through the right side to drive in De Luna and force the Griffons into a pitching change as Natalie Kissinger relieved Rader in the circle.
McKensy Glass laid down a bunt on the first pitch she saw and Kissinger had a throwing error that allowed Ward to score and move the tying run to third. That would be the last base runner for the Hornets however as Western held on for the 3-2 win.
Josie Harrison was two for three while
Abbey Ward and
Brooke Flewelling each went one for three with Ward scoring a run and Flewelling getting an RBI.
Gracie Rabe allowed two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks in 4.1 innings pitched.
Game 2
The Hornets had four extra base hits including two home runs in an 8-5 win over the Griffons in the night cap.
Emporia State struck first with
Lexi Williams reaching on a throwing error by the Griffons pitcher before
Alexis Dial homered to left field to make it 2-0 after one.
Missouri Western responded with four runs in the top of the second. Abby Dickey doubled in Ashlyn Finarty and after a walk loaded the bases MAckenzie Devine doubled in two to give Western a 3-2 lead.
Jordan Harrison then relieved Jayda Van Ackeren in the circle for ESU and gave up an RBI single to make it 4-2. Emporia State avoided anymore damage when
Alexis Dial caught a fly ball in center and threw out a base runner trying to go to third for a double play.
In the bottom of the third singles from
Emma Furnish and Dial put the tying run on base and
Josie Harrison delivered a three run homer to left to give the Hornets a 5-4 lead. That led to a pitching change by the Griffons with Finarty moving from first to the pitcher's circle. She gave up a walk to
Abbey Ward who then stole second.
Bailey Flewelling hit a grounder to short and with Ward running on the play she was able beat the throw to third and avoid the tag.
Brooke Flewelling reached when the Griff first baseman dropped that throw and allowed Ward to score and put ESU ahead 6-4.
Jordan Harrison tossed a shut down inning in the top of the fourth and in the bottom of the frame
Josie Harrison singled in Williams to give the Hornets a 7-4 lead. The Griffons got a run back in the top of the fifth but the Hornets answered in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single from
Brooke Flewelling that plated pinch runner
Kylie Chester.
Josie Harrison was two for three with a home run, four RBI and a run scored while
Alexis Dial went three for four with a homer, a double, two RBI and a run scored.
Jordan Harrison pitched the final 5.2 innings allowing one run on seven hits with three strikeouts.
Emporia State will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they play host to Northwest Missouri. First pitch of game one at the Trusler Sports Complex is set for 12 noon.
NOTES
With one stolen base today
Abbey Ward now has 123 career stolen bases and trails Morgan Viola (124 from 2004-07) ESU career record by one stolen base.
On the day
Jordan Harrison allowed just two runs on ten hits with five strikeouts in 8.1 innings.
