February 6, 2026 – Hornet Softball split day one down in Bentonville with a 10-4 win over William Jewell before falling 3-2 against Arkansas Tech.
Game 1 (ESU 10, WJC 4)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Following a pair of scoreless innings to open the game, the Cardinals were the ones to strike first in the top of the third. A two-run homer and a two-run single put William Jewell ahead of the Hornets 4-0.
Emporia State responded in the bottom half of the inning, as they matched the Cardinals total with four runs of their own.
Brooke Flewelling drove in three of the four with her fourth home run of the season, and
Avery Brewer scored later in the inning on a wild pitch to knot the score at 4-4.
Following a scoreless top of the fourth by
Chloe Wilson, the Hornets added to their total in the bottom half.
Taryn Burkhardt reached on an infield single that scored
Elina Bartlett, and after Burkhardt stole second to put two in scoring position,
Avery Brewer singled to push the lead to 7-4.
The final three runs came in the bottom of the sixth as the Hornets got RBI from Flewelling, Brewer and
Addyson Easter, which doubled the advantage to 10-4.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Brooke Flewelling and
Avery Brewer led way as they combined to drive in seven runs.
Taryn Burkhardt reached base three times, stole three bases, and scored three runs.
Izzy Sloan pitched the first 2.2 innings before
Chloe Wilson entered in the third and finished the game with just four hits and no runs allowed in 4.1 innings pitched to pick up her second win.
Game 2 (ATU 3, ESU 2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were held off the board in the first three frames, before the deadlock was broken in the top of the fourth by Emporia State as
Avery Brewer homered to put the Hornets ahead 1-0.
The second run for Emporia State came in the sixth as an error by the Golden Suns double the advantage for the Hornets.
Arkansas Tech was able to get the run back in the bottom of the sixth as a two-out single trimmed the lead to 2-1. Emporia State was retired in order in the top of the seventh, and Arkansas Tech was able to rally in the bottom half.
The Golden Suns used three hits, one fielding error and a walk on the final batter to overtake the Hornets as Emporia State fell 3-2.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State was limited to just five hits in the game, which came from five different players.
Hannah Butterbaugh pitched the first 6.0 innings and held Arkansas Tech to one run on seven hits.
UP NEXT
Day two of the Alvy Early Classic on Saturday, February 7 for Emporia State will feature matchups with Truman State and Harding. First pitch against the Bulldogs in the first game of the day is set for 11:00 p.m.
