April 6, 2025-Emporia State fell to #6 Central Oklahoma twice on Sunday at the Trusler Sports Complex. The Hornets fell 7-1 in the early game and 11-6 in the nightcap.
#6 UCO 7, ESU 1
The Bronchos got on top early on the way to a 7-1 win in game one.
Terin Ritz hit a two run home run in the top of the first to put UCO up 2-0. The Hornets responded with a run in the bottom of the first.
Juliana De Luna reached on a error at second base and went to third on a single by
Sydney Wagner.
Ally Miller drove her home with a ground out to make it 2-1.
The Bronchos would score three unearned runs on the top of the second to take a 5-1 lead. They added two more in the top of the fourth to go up 7-1.
Jayda VanAckeren relieved
Gracie Rabe in the circle and did not allow a run the rest of the game, but Emporia State could not take advantage and would only have three base runners the rest of the game.
Wagner had the only two hits for Emporia State. Rabe took the loss allowing seven runs, only four earned, in 3.2 innings. VanAckeren worked 3.1 innings of no hit relief with three walks.
#6 UCO 11, ESU 6
The Hornets led early but the #6 Bronchos scored nine runs in the final three innings to take an 11-6 in the nightcap.
Emporia State took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by
Ally Miller that scored
Juliana De Luna.
Brynley Smith hit her first career home run in the second to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead.
Central Oklahoma tied the game in the third on an RBI ground out from Kennedy Clark followed by a RBI double from Terin Ritz. Emporia State answered immediately when
Taryn Burkhardt led off the bottom of the inning with a single, stole second and scored on a single by De Luna. The Bronchos brought on Jordyn Pipkin in relief and she promptly walked
Sydney Wagner. With two outs the Hornets attempted a double steal and De Luna was able to come home when the throw at third sent into the outfield.
Emporia State held the lead until the top of the fifth. After two walks Ritz hit a three run homer to put UCO up 5-4. The Hornets loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth but Rylee Lemos was able to run down Smith's fly ball down the left field line to end the inning.
The Bronchos went up 7-4 in the top of the sixth when Brooklyn Ryan led off with a triple and Rylee Anglen reached on an infield single before Lemos singled to center and the ball was misplayed in the outfield allowing two runs to score. After UCO single,
Jayda VanAckeren come on in relief of
Jordan Harrison. After a walk loaded the bases the Hornet defense kept anymore runs from coming across. Wagner cut down a run at the plate on a ground ball from Ritz for the first out. Then Emily Deramus hit a grounder to third that Flewelling was able to step on the bag and throw to first for an inning ending double play.
In the bottom of the sixth
Kinsey Perine reached when the first baseman dropped a throw and then came home on pinch hitter
Avery Brewer's double to left center. After a ground out moved pinch runner
Kylie Chester to third, De Luna hit a sac fly to pull the Hornets within 7-6 going to the seventh inning.
The Bronchos took advantage of fielding and mental errors to add to their lead. With one out Maci Andrews singled and Brooklyn Ryan reached on a error at short stop. Anglen then laid down a bunt but no one covered first to load the bases. VanAckeren got Lemos to ground to second and Smith's throw appeared to beat the Andrews but it was ruled that Ramos was not touching the plate to give UCO an insurance run. Makenzie Fithian followed with a double to center field that scored two and gave the Bronchos a 10-6 lead.
Gracie Rabe then relieved VanAckeren and got a ground out that allowed another run to score before getting another ground out to end the inning.
Juliana De Luna went two for three with two runs and two RBI while
Ally Miller was two for four, Brenley Smith had a solo home run and
Avery Brewer was one for one with an RBI as a pinch hitter. Harrison allowed seven runs on nine hits in 5.0 innings in the loss.
Emporia State is back in action on Monday afternoon when they play host to Central Missouri. First pitch of the double header is set for 12:00 p.m. at the Trusler Sports Complex.
