March 1, 2025 – Emporia State swept day one of the Midwest Classic in Shawnee on Saturday, taking down Maryville 14-5 in six innings in game one before defeating Minnesota State 5-4 in game two.
Game 1 (ESU 14, MU 5)
In the first inning, Emporia State quickly jumped in front of the Saints, scoring six runs on four hits and a trio of walks. With one out, the Hornets loaded the bases for
Ally Miller, who delivered a two RBI single to open the scoring.
Brooke Flewelling drew a walk to load the bases, and after the second out of the inning,
Kinsey Perine cleared the bases with a double, making the score 5-0. After a pitching change for Maryville,
Haley Garnett scored Perine on a single up the middle to cap off the six-run first frame.
Maryville started the game with a leadoff walk but were quickly taken off the base paths as
Ally Miller caught the runner stealing for the first out, leading to
Jayda VanAckeren facing the minimum in the first inning.
Emporia State added four runs in the second inning, with
Mallory Moore scoring on a passed ball,
Leslie Ramos driving in two with a double and Ramos scoring on a sac fly from
Kinsey Perine to make the score 10-0.
The Saints scored four of their own in the bottom half, and after Emporia State scored two in the fourth, the Hornets led 12-4. Maryville added one run in the bottom half but were unable to rally further. Emporia State picked up two runs in the top of the sixth on a throwing error by the Saints, which helped the Hornets to secure the 14-5 run-rule win in six innings.
Five Hornets had multiple hits in the game with
Kinsey Perine going 2-2 with a walk, double, three runs scored and four RBI.
Game 2 (ESU 5, MSU 4)
After a scoreless first frame, Emporia State scored all five of their runs of the next three innings.
In the second, Perine singled up the middle to score
Brooke Flewelling and put the Hornets ahead 1-0. The lead doubled in the third, as a defensive error brought in
Sydney Wagner to make the score 2-0. Emporia State add three more runs in the fourth, as another Maverick error followed by RBI from
Haley Garnett and
Sydney Wagner built a 5-0 lead for the Hornets.
Emporia State starter
Jordan Harrison controlled the Minnesota State lineup throughout the game, before the Mavericks finally broke through in the sixth. A three-run home run by Mellum with two outs trimmed the Emporia State lead to 5-3 heading to the final inning.
With one out in the top of the seventh, the Mavericks picked up a double followed by an RBI triple to pull within a run.
Gracie Rabe took over for Harrison in the circle, and with the tying run on third base, Rabe picked up a strikeout and a ground ball back to the circle to pick up the save and seal the Saturday sweep for Emporia State.
Emporia State managed just six hits but capitalized on four Maverick errors to pull out the 5-4 win in game two.
Jordan Harrison picked up the win, her seventh of the season as she struck out nine in 6.1 innings.
Gracie Rabe picked up the save, the first of her career, recording the final two outs.
The Hornets will be back in action on Sunday, March 2 as they begin day two of the Midwest Classic against Rockhurst. First pitch against the Hawks is set for 10:00 a.m.
