April 5, 2024-It was a fourth straight double header split for Emporia State as the Hornets won the matinee 4-3 before falling 8-6 in the nightcap at Neb.-Kearney on Friday afternoon in Kearney, Neb.
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Game One
The Hornets came from behind to knock off the Lopers 4-3 in the first game.Â
Abbey Ward doubled to lead off the game and came home on a
Lexi Williams single to give Emporia State a 1-0 early lead.
The Lopers opened the bottom of the second with back to back singles, but both runners were erased at third base on fielder's choices. They would tie the game on a Jocelyn Molina single that drove in Kelsey Cordes but Molina was thrown out trying to advance to second on the play to end the inning.
Rylyn Nelson put UNK in front with a two run homer in the bottom of the third and
Jordan Harrison came on in relief of starter
Gracie Rabe.
It would stay 3-1 until the top of the fifth. With one out
Alexis Dial homered to cut the deficit in half.Â
Josie Harrison reached on an infield single and was safe at second as
Emma Furnish reached on a fielder's choice. With two outs
Karli Wehunt walked to load the bases for
McKensy Glass. Glass proceeded to deliver a two run single to left center to give ESU a 4-3 lead.
Neb.-Kearney would load the bases on three walks before reliever
Kelly Hipsher got two strikeouts to end the game.
McKensy Glass went two for three with two RBI while
Alexis Dial was two for three with a home run.Â
Jordan Harrison tossed 3.2 shutout innings in relief giving up one hit and two walks as she improved to 5-3 on the year.
Kelly Hipsher came in with a runner on in the seventh and gave up two walks and recorded two strikeouts to earn her third save.
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Game Two
Emporia State could not complete a comeback in an 8-6 loss to Neb.-Kearney in the second game.
The first three Lopers reached safely on the bottom of the first with Eden McNally driving in the first run with a double. With two outs Alyssa Fortik singled in two runs before getting thrown out at second trying to stretch her single into a double.
With the bases loaded in the top of the third
Alexis Dial got the Hornets on the board with a two out RBI single.
Brooke Flewelling homered with two outs in the top of the fourth to get ESU within 3-2. After a single and a walk
Abbey Ward tied the game with a single that scored
Bailey Flewelling.
Dial put the Hornets ahead with a lead off homer in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the frame McNally walked when her at bat was kept alive by a dropped foul ball.
Kelly Hipsher then relieved starter
Josie Harrison in the circle for ESU. After a passed ball and a fly out put McNally on Gianna Galli hit a ground ball to second and the scoop to second was not in time as McNally scored to tie the game.
UNK took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single by Jocelyn Molina that led to Jayda Van Ackeren replacing Hipsher in the circle for ESU. After a walk and a strikeout  Rylyn Nelson gave the Lopers a 6-4 lead with an RBI single. A wild pitch allowed both runners to advance and Abbie Jo Gaube made it 8-4 with a two RBI single.
Lexi Williams led off the top of the seventh with a triple and Dial reached when she was hit by a pitch. After a pop out
Emma Furnish hit a sac fly that plated Williams. After
McKensy Glass drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate.Â
Brooke Flewelling reached on an infield single that scored Dial to make it 8-6. With the go ahead run at the plate
Bailey Flewelling grounded out to short for the final out.
Alexis Dial was two for two with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
Brooke Flewelling went two for four with a homer, two RBI and a run scored while
Bailey Flewelling was two for four with two runs scored.
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The Hornets return to the Trusler Sports Complex on Friday, April 12 to take on Missouri Southern. First pitch of the double header is set for 3:00 p.m.
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NOTES:
With a stolen base in the first game
Abbey Ward broke the Emporia State career record with 125 stolen bases, passing Morgan Viola who had 124 steals from 2004-07
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