Emporia State ends season at MIAA Tournament

May 2, 2024-Despite falling behind by five runs early, Emporia State had the go ahead run at the plate in the seventh inning in an 8-6 loss to ninth ranked Central Oklahoma in the MIAA Tournametn Quarterfinals on Thursday in Edmond, Okla.

The Bronchos scored three in the first inning highlighted by a two run homer by Jacee Minter that made it 3-0.  With runners on first and second Jordan Harrison relieved Gracie Rabe in the circle and got a strike out to end the inning.  Terin Ritz delivered a two run homer to straight away center field with one out in the second to give UCO a 5-0 lead.

The Hornets got on the board in the top of the third.  Bailey Flewelling led off with a single and with one out Abbey Ward singled to put runners on the corners.  Ward then stole second, giving her 129 in her career, before Lexi Williams drive both of them in with a single to center before getting thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double.

Jordan Harrison tossed a shut down bottom of the third on just nine pitches with two strikeouts.  With two outs in the fourth McKensy Glass reached on an infield single and went to second when Brooke Flewelling was hit by a pitch.  Haley Garnett pulled Emporia State within two with an RBI single to right field.

UCO got two runs back in bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by McKenna Johnson to make it 7-3. After Williams led off the fifth with a single before the game was delayed by a rain shower for 26 minutes. Williams stole second after the delay and came home on a single by Josie Harrison to make it 7-4.  With two outs Bailey Flewelling doubled down the third base line to drive in Josie Harrison and force a pitching change.  Shelby Beard replaced Ritz in the circle and got a ground out to end the inning.

Tatum Long led off the bottom of the fifth with a home run off the scoreboard in left center to put the Bronchos up 8-5.  Kelly Hipsher then relieved Jordan Harrison and got a pair of flyouts and a strike out to end the inning.

In the top of the sixth Ward singled with two outs and had appeared to steal second when she was called out for leaving early.  Due to the earlier rain delay, the replay system was not available to review the inning ending call.

Alexis Dial drew a one out walk in the top of the seventh and went to third on a double by Josie Harrison. Emma Furnish singled through the left side to score Dial and get ESU within 8-6 with one out, but the Hornets would not get another base runner.

Lexi Williams was three for four with a steal, a run scored and two RBI. Josie Harrison was two for four with a double, a run scored and an RBI while Abbey Ward was two for four with a stolen base and a run and Alexis Dial went one for three with a double and a run scored.  Bailey Flewelling and Emma Furnish each went one for four with an RBI.

Emporia State ends the season 31-20 for their second straight 30 win season.
 
NOTES:
Abbey Ward finished her career with a school record 129 stolen bases.
Alexis Dial finished the season ranked second on the ESU single season chart with 21 doubles, and is fourth with a .430 batting average and .778 slugging percentage.