February 7, 2026 – Emporia State softball split the Saturday doubleheader at the Alvy Early Classic. The Hornets took down former MIAA foe Truman State 6-1 before falling against Harding 8-4 in game two.
 
Game 1 (ESU 6, TSU 1)
Through five frames, the Hornets and Bulldogs were locked in a pitcher's duel with Maci Hayes keeping Truman State at bay. Hayes allowed her first hit in the bottom of the fifth, while allowing just three runners in total.
 
Emporia State's breakthrough finally came in the top of the sixth as RBI from Addison Callaway and Juliana De Luna followed by a Bulldog fielding error put the Hornets ahead 3-0. Hannah Butterbaugh replaced Hayes in the circle and despite a leadoff single, forced a double play and a groundout to face the minimum and keep the lead at 3-0.
 
The Hornets would add another three to their total in the seventh, as Brooke Flewelling singled to lead off the inning and later scored on a fielding error to make it 4-0. Following the second out of the frame, Addison Callaway launched her first career home run to make it 6-0.
 
Truman State managed to get one run in their final at-bat, but were limited to just one as the Hornets sealed the 6-1 win over the Bulldogs.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Avery Brewer and Addison Callaway both tallied two hits, while Callaway tallied three RBI in the game.
 
Maci Hayes picked up her first career win behind 5.0 shutout innings allowing just one hit. Hannah Butterbaugh picked up a six-out save and allowed just one run on three hits.
 
Game 2 (HU 8, ESU 4)
The Bisons took the early lead over the Hornets as they delivered a pair of two-run homers to jump in front 4-0 in the top of the first. Emporia State's first run of the game came in the bottom of the second as Leslie Ramos drove in Addison Callaway.
 
Harding responded with three runs over the next two innings as they led the Hornets 7-1 through four frame. The Bisons grabbed one more run in the top of the sixth, but the Hornets would get on the board again in the bottom half. Avery Brewer singled to score Taryn Burkhardt, and Addison Callaway followed with a double to score Brewer to make it 8-3.
 
In the final at-bat for Emporia State, Leslie Ramos doubled to lead off the inning, and later came around to score on an infield single by Elina Bartlett. However, the Hornets were unable to mount a rally, falling 8-4 against the Bisons.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
The Hornets got seven hits by seven different players and all four RBI came from different players.
 
UP NEXT
Emporia State will wrap up their weekend in Bentonville on Sunday, February 8 as they take on St. Mary's (TX) at 11:00 a.m.