March 28, 2026-Emporia State dropped both ends of a doubleheader against #11 Missouri Southern on Saturday at the Trusler Sports Complex. The Hornets fell 7-6 in game one and 4-1 in the nightcap.
 
MSSU 7, ESU 6
The Hornets battled back from a six run deficit before falling 7-6 in the matinee.
The #11 Lions used the small ball to get on the board in the top of the third inning, using back to back bunts to score Avery Sue Davis.  Three batters later Taylor Nuckolls doubled in two runs to make it 3-0 and Carsen Tinkler followed with a three run homer to make it 6-0.  Chloe Wilson came on in relief of Morgan Tomlinson and after giving up a single and hit batter, got two outs to end the inning. Over the next two innings Wilson would face the minimum to keep the Hornets in the game until she gave up a lead off walk to start the sixth.
Emporia State started their comeback in the fifth when Addison Callaway reached on a lead off single and went to second as Avery Brewer reached on a fielder's choice. After a pair of ground outs Kinsey Perine delivered a two run single to get the Hornets on the board. Sydney Wagner singled in Perine to get the Hornets within 6-3 headed to the 6^th inning.
After a lead off walk Izzy Sloan came on in relief of Wilson and did not allow a run. The Lions brought MIAA saves leader Kadence Janney on in relief of Kiki Pickens to start the sixth and the Hornets drew back to back walks and force another pitching change. Emily Davis got an infield fly and strike out before Elina Bartlett delivered a two run triple to get ESU within a run. Perine followed with a single to center field that tied the game at 6-6 after six innings.

Bottom of sixth @EState_Softball Kinsey Perine brings home 1 to make it a tied game 6-6 @mososports.#Stingersup pic.twitter.com/9tyIbOiCFB

— ESU Athletics (@ESUSports) March 28, 2026

Maddie Rolfs led off the seventh for MoSo with a single and with one out stole second.  Carsen Tinkler then singled to put runners on the corners.  Emily Perry laid down a bunt and Rolfs beat the throw to the plate to put the Lions up 7-6.  Sloan got the final two outs including a strike out to end the inning. Wagner led off the bottom of the seventh with a line drive that found the Tinkler's glove at third and two more fly outs ended the game.
Kinsey Perine went two for three with three RBI and a run scored while Elina Bartlett was two for three with a triple, two RBI and a run scored. Chloe Wilson tossed 2.2 scoreless innings while Izzy Sloan allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts in the final 2.0 innings.
 
MSSU 4, ESU 1
Three of Emporia State's five hits went for extra bases but the Hornets could only score one run while giving up three unearned runs in a 4-1 loss in the night cap.
Missouri Southern scored their first run thanks to a single from Bailey Dillon, a wild pitch and two ground outs in the first inning.
Emporia State tied the game in the fourth on back to back doubles from Brynley Smith and Addison Callaway. That led to a pitching change for Southern as Kiki Pickens replaced Emily Davis. She would retire the next three batters to end the inning.

Bottom of the fourth @EState_Softball Addi Calllaway double sending Brynely Smith to make it 1-1 @mososports. #Stingersup pic.twitter.com/o0n6NXy5tC

— ESU Athletics (@ESUSports) March 28, 2026

The score would remain locked at 1-1 until the sixth inning. Taylor Nuckolls led off the Lions half of the frame with a single up the middle and went to second on a sac bunt.  Emily Perry reached on a error at shortstop that put runners on the corners.  Katie Gray was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Hannah Butterbaugh struck out Avery Sue Davis for the second out of the inning.  With the bases loaded catcher Leslie Ramos tried to pick off Gray at first and her throw went past the base and down the right field line allowing Nuckolls to score and give MSSU a 2-1 lead.  Emma Mason then tripled to left center to drive in two more and make the deficit 4-1. Izzy Sloan then entered the circle for Butterbaugh and got a strikeout to end the inning. Pickens would end up retiring the last nine batters she faced to pick up the win for the Lions.
Brynley Smith and Addison Callaway both went one for three with a double as Callaway drove in Smith. Kinsey Perine was two for three with a triple. Hannah Butterbaugh suffered the loss, as she scattered seven hits over 5.2 innings to allow four runs, only one of which was earned.
 
UP NEXT
The Hornets begin an eight game road trip next Friday when they travel to Neb.-Kearney. First pitch of the double header in Kearney, Neb. is set for 2:00 p.m.