How Sweep It Is: Emporia State Softball takes two from Missouri Southern

April 12, 2024-Emporia State recorded their first sweep since March 23 as they took both ends of a double header from Missouri Southern on Friday afternoon at the Trusler Sports Complex. The Hornets won 3-2 in the first and 8-0 in five innings in the second game.
 
Game 1
The Hornets used two unearned to pick up a 3-2 win over Missouri Southern in the matinee.
Gracie Rabe gave up three singles and a walk in the top of the first but only allowed one run to keep the Hornets in the game.  After being recognized prior to the game for breaking the Emporia State all-time steals record, Abbey Ward stole two bases on the way to manufacturing a run. After getting hit by a pitch she stole second and third before scoring on an Alexis Dial ground out to tie the game at 1-1.
The Hornets took the lead in the bottom of the third. Karli Wehunt led off with a single and made it to second on an error by the shortstop as Lexi Williams reached on a fielder's choice.  They both moved up on ground out by Dial.  Josie Harrison then hit a ground ball that the third baseman could not handle and with the runners moving on the pitch both scored to make it 3-1.
The Lions got a run back in the top of the fifth when Kylee Jacks doubled with one out and came home on a two out single by Taylor Nuckolls. The inning ended as Emma Furnish ran down a foul ball out to preserve the one run lead.
Southern got a one out triple by Jacks in the top of the seventh to bring Kelly Hipsher on in relief of Rabe.  Hipsher got a strike out and a foul out to the catcher to pick up her fourth save of the season.
Alexis Dial was one for three with the only RBI for the Hornets.  Abbey Ward scored a run and had two stolen bases while Lexi Williams and Karli Wehunt each went one for three with a run scored. Gracie Rabe went 6.1 innings and allowed two runs on eight hits with three strikeouts for the win.
 
Game 2
Emporia State used a five run fifth to invoke the run rule in an 8-0 win in five innings in the nightcap.
The Hornets took advantage of an error by the Lions to get on the board in the bottom of the second. With one out Emma Furnish doubled and with two outs went to third on a passed ball.  Brooke Flewelling followed with a walk and with two outs they both came home when McKensy Glass reached on a throwing error by the shortstop.
Furnish scored again in the bottom of the fourth to give Emporia State a 3-0 lead.  She singled and stole second before coming home on a double by Bailey Flewelling.
Jordan Harrison retired the side in the top of the fifth to finish a string of 11 straight.  Abbey Ward reached on a fielding error by the shortstop and went to second when Lexi Williams reached on an infield single. Alexis Dial followed with a two RBI triple to right center to make it 5-0 and chase Lions starter Avery Tallman.  Josie Harrison greeted reliever Kara Amos with a single through the left side that plated Dial.  After a wild pitch sent Harrison to second, Furnish beat out a bunt single and went to second on a throwing error by the third baseman that allowed Harrison to score. With one out Furnish went to third on a wild pitch and came home when Brooke Flewelling poked a single to left over a drawn in infield to end the game.
Emma Furnish went three for three with a double, a stolen base and three runs scored to lead the Hornet offense. Alexis Dial went one for three with a triple, two RBI and a run scored while Brooke Flewelling was one for two with an RBI and a run scored.  Jordan Harrison went the distance for the shut out allowing just two hits with no walks and two strikeouts for the win.
 
Emporia State will be back in action on Saturday when they play host to #9 Pittsburg State. First pitch of game one of the double header is set for 12:00 p.m.