Home Opener This Weekend For Emporia State Softball

Softball | 3/27/2025 2:17:00 PM

Emporia State (22-12, 3-5 MIAA) vs Neb.-Kearney (16-15, 2-4 MIAA)
Friday, March 28 | 3:00 p.m. (DH) | Emporia, Kan. | ESU Softball Field/Trusler Complex
Overall: ESU leads 29-19  Last Meeting: at UNK 8, ESU 6 (4/5/24)
Radio: KFFX 104.9FM Internet Audio: kvoe.com Video: The MIAA Network
Emporia State (22-12, 3-5 MIAA) vs. Fort Hays State (20-6, 5-1 MIAA)
Saturday, March 29 • 12:00 p.m. (DH) • Emporia, Kan. • ESU Softball Field/Trusler Complex
Overall: ESU leads 50-34  Last Meeting: at FHSU 5, ESU 4 (8) (4/4/24)
Radio: None Internet Audio: None Video: The MIAA Network
Live Stats | Ticket Info | Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: #6 Central Oklahoma
Friday, April 4 | 3:00 p.m. (DH) | Emporia, Kan. | ESU Softball Field/Trusler Complex

WELCOME HOME 
After 34 games on the road to start the season Emporia State makes their 2025 home debut as they play host to Neb.-Kearney and Fort Hays State at the Trusler Sports Complex.

LAST TIME OUT
Emporia State softball was swept on Sunday at 25th ranked Pittsburg State.
The Hornets gave up four unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth in a 7-3 loss to Pittsburg State in game one. Brooke Flewelling was one for three with a home run while Mallory Moore was one for three with an RBI. Gracie Rabe allowed seven runs with only two earned in 4.2 innings to take the loss.
The Gorillas got a two run homer from Kadyn Trochim in the first inning and never trailed in an 11-1 win in the nightcap.
Sydney Wagner was one for two with a walk and run scored while Brooke Flewelling was one for three with a double for the only hits for Emporia State.  Jordan Harrison took the loss, allowing eight runs on eight hits in 1.1 innings.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State enters the weekend with a 22-12 record, 3-5 in the MIAA. The Hornets are second in the MIAA and 14th in the nation with 76 total stolen bases. Brooke Flewelling is tied for second in the league and 22nd in the nation in home runs, is eighth in the MIAA  in RBI and slugging percentage and ninth in OPS. Taryn Burkhardt is third in the association in stolen bases and third in walks drawn. Kinsey Perine is sixth in the MIAA in stolen bases.
In the circle, the Hornets are fourth in the MIAA in strikeout to walk ratio and are led by a trio of seniors. Gracie Rabe is fourth in the MIAA in innings pitched, tied for third in saves and walks allowed per seven innings, and is ninth in strikeout to walk ratio. Jordan Harrison is fifth in the league in strikeouts, sixth in strikeout to walk ratio and wins, and seventh in innings pitched. Jayda VanAckeren is one of just five MIAA pitchers to have given up just one home run on the season.
Emporia State has a team fielding percentage of .957 to rank 11th in the MIAA.
  
IN THE DUGOUT
April Rosales is in her tenth season leading the Emporia State softball program. Her record as head coach for the Hornets is 261-234. Since taking over the program in 2016, Rosales has led the Hornets to an MIAA Tournament Championship, two MIAA Tournament title game appearances, and an appearance in the NCAA Central Sub-Regional Championship.
Rosales was also a member of Emporia State softball during her playing days which included an run to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2008 which resulted in a National Runner-Up finish. During the 2008 season, she hit .324 with 30 RBI while playing nearly every game at shortstop for the Hornets. She was named First Team All-MIAA that season.
She is 8-8 against Fort Hays State and 10-7 against Neb.-Kearney.
Katie Ackermann is 105-145 in her sixth year at Neb.-Kearney.  She is 3-6 against Emporia State.
Adrian Pilkington is 241-278 in her 11th season at Fort Hays State. She is 8-10 against Emporia State.

SCOUTING THE LOPERS
Neb.-Kearney is 16-15 on the season, 2-4 in the MIAA. They have won six of their last eight games. They have a team batting average of .258 to rank 11th in the MIAA but are second in the league and 19th in the nation with 122 walks. Mary Chvatal is third in the MIAA with a .553 on base percentage and is second in the nation in walks per game. Alyssa Fortik is leading the MIAA with four triples. They have a 4.62 team ERA. Jerzie Schindler is 6-4 overall with a 3.53 ERA. The Lopers are 13th in the league with a .950 fielding percentage but they lead the MIAA and are ranked seventh in the nation with 18 double plays this season.

SERIES HISTORY
The Hornets lead the series 29-19 and have won nine of the last 14 meetings. The two split last season in Kearney with Emporia State winning 4-3 in game one and the Lopers taking game two 8-6.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Fort Hays State is 20-6 overall, 5-1 in the MIAA and have won nine straight entering the weekend.  Five of their six losses have come away from Hays.  They have a .320 team batting average to rank fourth in the MIAA. Lilly Mohr is sixth in the MIAA with a .800 slugging percentage and 1.292 OPS, is tenth in on base percentage at .492 and is batting .400 on the year. As a staff they are leading the MIAA and rank fourth in the nation in strikeout to walk ratio at 4.27 and aveage 7.41 strikeouts per seven innings to lead the MIAA and rank ninth nationally. Savanah Egger is second in the MIAA in strikeouts to walk ratio and eighth in total strikeouts.

SERIES HISTORY
The Hornets lead the series 50-34 and have won seven of the last ten meetings. The two split last season with Emporia State winning 6-0 in the matinee and the Tigers taking a 5-4 decision in eight innings in game two in Hays.

30 FOR 30
The Hornets 21-9 record was their best start after 30 games since going 23-7 to start the 2015 season. That team would finish the year 35-20, 16-9 in the MIAA.

FINALLY HOME
Emporia State will play 34 games before they make their home debut at the Trusler Sports Complex on March 28 against Neb.-Kearney. It is the latest home opening date for the Hornets since opening the 2022 season on April 1 after playing 32 games away from Trusler.

OFF AND RUNNING
The Hornets have led or finished inside the top three in the MIAA in stolen bases in eight of the last nine seasons and are in that position again this season. Emporia State is 76 of 87 on the base paths, with their 76 total steals ranking second in the MIAA and 14th in the nation.

HEART STOPPING HORNETS
Emporia State has played in 12 one-run games so far this season, and have gone 8-4 in those games, which includes a pair of eight-inning victories and a nine inning loss. They have gone 3-0 in two run games this season. In the first nine years under Rosales, the Hornets finished .500 or better in one-run games eight times, and Emporia State won 11 one-run games in 2024, their most in a single season in Rosales' tenure.

IN THE FIELD
Catcher Ally Miller (So./Olathe, KS) is batting .300 in 24 games with 19 starts at catcher and four at DP this season. She has five doubles, a triple, a home run, 15 RBI and a .338 on base percentage. She is batting .320 with runners in scoring position.
First baseman Haley Garnett (Gr./Olathe, KS) is in year three with the Hornets and has played in 115 games at Emporia State. In 34 starts this year she is batting .233 with a .324 on base percentage. She has 11 walks, four doubles, a triple and two home runs on the year.
Second baseman Mallory Moore (Fr./Flower Mound, TX) has started 24 of her 27 games as a true freshman. She is batting .284 on the season including a .400 average with two outs. 
Third baseman Brooke Flewelling (So./Holton, KS) is in year two with the Hornets after playing in 35 games as a freshman. She is hitting .322 with nine home runs, eight doubles and two triples for a .756 slugging percentage and 1.178 OPS. She has 31 RBI on the year and joined Alexis Dial from last season as the only Hornets since 2014 with 20 or more RBI within the first 20 games of the season.
Shortstop Sydney Wagner (Fr./Buda, TX) has started 33 games for the Hornets in her first season. She is batting .350 five doubles, a triple, 21 runs scored and 14 RBI. She is batting .358 with runners on base and .385 with runners in scoring position.
Outfielder Taryn Burkhardt (Jr./Silver Lake, KS) is in her first year with the Hornets after transferring from Johnson County CC. Burkhardt has started all 34 games in centerfield and is batting .330 with a team-high 28 runs scored and 22 walks drawn. She has a .450 on base percentage overall and a .511 OBP while leading off an innning. Burkhardt is 25 of 29 on stolen bases this year. She had a .411 batting average and stole 68 bases over her two seasons at Johnson County CC, twice earning All-Region VI recognition.
Outfielder Juliana De Luna (So./San Antonio, TX) played in 30 games as a freshman last season and has started 33 of 34 games this season. She is batting .330 and has reached base at a .414 clip. She has 20 runs scored and 18 RBI this spring and is batting .371 with runners in scoring position.
Outfielder Kinsey Perine (Fr./Rossville, KS) has started all 34 games as a true freshman. She is batting .318 on the season with 17 RBI, 20 runs scored and 14 stolen bases. She is six for six in RBI opportunities with a runner on third and less than two outs. Her mother Shanna (Spann) was a starter for the Lady Hornets 1998 national runner up women's basketball team.
Catcher/designated player Leslie Ramos (Jr./Grand Island, NE) is in her first season with the Hornets after transferring from Barton CC. She has played in 27 games with 15 starts at catcher and seven at DP. She is hitting .310 overall and .333 with runners on base. She hit .356 with a .468 on base percentage and .554 slugging percentage in 85 games for the Cougars.
Infielder/designated player Kennedy Topping (So./Wichita, KS) has played in 18 games with 13 starts this season with eight starts at DP and five at second base. She is batting .333 on the year with a .545 average with two outs.

IN THE CIRCLE
Senior Gracie Rabe (Sr./Rossville, KS) is in her fourth season with the Hornets and has pitched in 420.2 career innings over 35 games for Emporia State. She is 7-8 with a 2.59 ERA with three shutouts and two saves this season. She has struck out 55 while walking just 15 in 89.1 innings.
Senior Jordan Harrison (Sr./St. Mary's, KS) is in year two at Emporia State and after tossing 88.0 innings last season. She is 10-3 with a 3.25 ERA, 83 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 84.0 innings this season.
Senior Jayda VanAckeren (Sr./Omaha, NE) has made 70 appearances over her four years in the circle for the Hornets and has a 22-7 career record. She is 5-1 this season with a shutout and 3.74 ERA this season.

HORNET HISTORY
Emporia State has finished as the NCAA Division II National Runners-up twice, in 2006 and 2008. The Hornets have qualified for NCAA Regional play 13 times. The Hornets won the NAIA National Championship in 1983 and 1984 and won the AIAW National Championship in 1980.
The Hornets were MIAA regular season champions four straight years from 2005-08 and MIAA Tournament champions seven straight years running from 2004-10. In the 21st Century, Emporia State has claimed the regular season title eight times (2005-08, 2010-12, 2014) and the tournament title nine times (2004-10, 2012, 2018).