March 14, 2026 – Emporia State softball splits their Saturday doubleheader against Northeastern State as the Hornets fell 6-2 in game one but rallied to win game two 8-3.
Game 1 (NSU 6, ESU 2)
Northeastern State took the early lead over Emporia State in the first inning as a leadoff walk eventually came around to score. The response from the Hornets came in the second as
Mallory Moore drew a one-out walk before eventually scoring on a fielding error by the Riverhawks.
The Riverhawks went back in front in the fourth, as a fielding error and a double gave Northeastern State the 2-1 advantage. Emporia State again answered, this time in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI triple by
Brooke Flewelling to drive in
Sydney Wagner.
In the sixth, Northeastern State found a big inning as they used four doubles to score three runs and take a 5-2 lead over the Hornets. The Riverhawks scored another in the seventh to build a 6-2 lead.
Emporia State would pick up three hits in their last at-bat but were unable to close the gap, falling 6-2 in game one.
Game 2 (ESU 8, NSU 3)
The Hornets quickly surpassed their game one total at the plate, scoring four runs on four hits in the first frame.
Avery Brewer,
Addison Callaway and
Mallory Moore all picked up RBI in the inning.
Northeastern State picked up one in the second, but the lead grew further in the third inning as Emporia State scored two more. The Hornets quickly picked up the first two outs of the inning, but rallied with a trio of singles, with
Leslie Ramos capping it off with two RBI on a single down the right field line to extend the lead to 6-1.
In the fifth, Emporia State's lead grew to 8-1 on an RBI single by
Elina Bartlett and a fielding error by the Riverhawks. The visitors got back on the board in the sixth and threatened a big inning, but
Izzy Sloan, who entered in relief in the inning limited the damage to just two to hold an 8-3 lead for the Hornets.
Sloan again had to deal with traffic on the bases in the seventh but worked around the Riverhawks putting three on to seal the 8-3 win.
UP NEXT
Emporia State will the road for a nonconference doubleheader against Drury on Wednesday, March 18. First pitch from Springfield, Mo. is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
