Comeback Win Gives Emporia State Softball a Split at Missouri Southern

March 22, 2025-Emporia State scored six runs in the final two innings of game two to secure a split at Missouri Southern on Saturday afternoon in Joplin, Mo.
 
Game 1
Emporia State was shut out for just the second time this season in a 4-0 loss to Missouri Southern in the matinee.
The game was scoreless through two and a half innings before the Lions strung together three hits to score two runs in the bottom of the third. They added a run with two outs in the bottom of the fourth and added another one in the bottom of the sixth.
Sydney Wagner and Ally Miller had the only two hits for the Hornets in game one.  Gracie Rabe scattered eight hits and gave up four runs through six innings in the circle.
 
Game 2
The Hornets scored six runs in their final two at bats to salvage a split with a 6-3 win in eight innings in the nightcap.
Emporia State's Jordan Harrison and Missouri Southern's Avery Tallman were locked in a pitchers' duel through the first six innings.  The Lions took the lead with a two run double by Kate Thurman with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.
Kennedy Topping got the Hornets on the board with a one out homer in the top of the seventh.  Kelsey Perine followed with a single and stole second. Haley Garnett reached on an error to put runners on first and third.  Emporia State tied it on a double steal with Perine scoring as Garnett was out trying to go to third.  Taryn Burkhardt then doubled to lead to a pitching change by Southern.  Sydney Wagner greeted Kadence Janney with a single that scored Burkhardt to give the Hornets a 3-2 lead.
MSSU scored a run in the bottom of the seventh on a Katie Gray single with two outs to send the game to extra innings.
Ally Miller led off the eighth with a solo homer to put the Hornets up 4-3 and after another pitching change Brooke Flewelling gave Emporia State at 5-3 lead with another solo homer. With one out Perine singled and went to second when Garnett was hit by a pitch leading to another Lion pitching change.  Burkhardt grounded out to put runners at second and third before Wagner reached on an error that scored Perine to give the Hornets a 6-3 lead.
Harrison then worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth, ending it with a strikeout to give Emporia State the win and split of the double header.
Syndey Wagner went three for five with two RBI, Brooke Flewelling was three for four with a solo homer, and Kinsey Perine went two for four with two runs scored.  Jordan Harrison went the distance in the circle allowing three runs on ten hits with five strike outs and just one walk.
 
The Hornets are back in action on Sunday when they travel to #25 Pittsburg State.  First pitch of the double header at the PSU Softball Field is set for 12 noon.