February 24, 2025 – Emporia State softball swept day two of the Washburn Invitational, picking up a run-rule win over Northern State 16-3 in game one, before rallying to beat Minot State 3-2 in game two.
Game 1 (ESU 16, NSU 3)
The Hornets got the game started with a five-run first inning to build an early lead over the Wolves.
Taryn Burkhardt got the inning started with a leadoff walk and after a steal, scored on an RBI double by
Sydney Wagner to put the Hornets in front.
Juliana De Luna then reached on a base hit before scoring on a two-run single by
Mallory Moore to make the score 3-0.
Brooke Flewelling capped off the inning with a two-run home run to build the lead to 5-0.
Northern State responded with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first to close the Emporia State lead to 5-2. After a scoreless second for Emporia State, the Wolves added another run on a solo homer to trim the lead to 5-3.
In the third, Emporia State added three more runs, as
Brooke Flewelling homered for the second time in as many plate appearances to make the score 8-3.
Jordan Harrison retired Northern State in order before the Hornets picked up another run in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by
Sydney Wagner.
The Hornets offense exploded in the fifth inning, tallying seven runs on seven hits, which included RBI from Wagner, De Luna,
Mallory Moore,
Brynley Smith and
Ally Miller.
Jordan Harrison closed out the game in the bottom half, sealing the 16-3 win for Emporia State.
Six different Hornets tallied multiple hits, including
Sydney Wagner who had four hits.
Brooke Flewelling had two home runs and five RBI while Wagner and
Mallory Moore each had three RBI of their own.
Game 2 (ESU 3, MINOT 2)
In game two on Monday, the Hornets fell behind in the opening frame, as a two-run home run by Minot State put the Beavers ahead 2-0.
Following a scoreless second inning, the Hornets cut the deficit in half, as
Haley Garnett homered for the first time season to make the score 2-1. The Hornets put a runner on base in both the fourth and fifth inning, but still trailed Minot State 2-1 heading to the sixth.
Juliana De Luna led off the sixth with a walk, and eventually scored on a two-out double by
Brooke Flewelling to tie the game 2-2.
Gracie Rabe took over for
Jayda VanAckeren in the circle in the bottom of the sixth, and Rabe worked around an error to keep the score tied at 2-2. In the seventh, after a pitching change for the Beavers,
Kinsey Perine homered to lead off the inning, putting the Hornets ahead 3-2. Rabe would retire Minot State in order in the bottom half, sealing the 3-2 win and Monday sweep for Emporia State.
Taryn Burkhardt had two hits while
Brooke Flewelling,
Haley Garnett and
Kinsey Perine each had an RBI.
In the circle,
Jayda VanAckeren got the no decision as she allowed two runs in 5.0 innings.
Gracie Rabe picked up her fourth win of the season, as she hurled two no-hit innings to finish the game.
Emporia State will be back in action on day three of the Washburn Invitational with the first of two games scheduled for 12:00 p.m. against Maryville at Silver Lake HS.
