April 3, 2026 – Emporia State softball secured a sweep over Nebraska-Kearney with a 15-4 win in game one, followed by a 5-3 win in game two on Friday afternoon.
Game 1 (ESU 15, UNK 4)
Brooke Flewelling opened the scoring in the doubleheader, as she hit her 12th home run of the season in the top of the first to put the Hornets ahead 1-0. Emporia State's lead remained at 1-0 until the top of the third, when the Hornets added four to their tally.
The inning featured two RBI from
Avery Brewer and an RBI from both
Brynley Smith and
Ally Miller to extend the lead to 5-0. In the fourth,
Brooke Flewelling went deep again, this time driving in two as the lead grew to 7-0.
Nebraska-Kearney broke through in the bottom half, scoring three runs on five hits before the Hornets stranded a pair of runners to escape the inning.
Emporia State continued to apply the pressure offensively, scoring in each of their last three innings at the plate, which included three runs in the fifth and a second four-run frame in the top of the seventh.
Addyson Easter,
Sydney Wagner and
Avery Brewer all recorded RBI in the fifth, while
Juliana De Luna capped a four-run seventh with an inside-the-park home run, the first of her career to seal a 15-4 win.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Nine Hornets recorded a hit in the game, which included three-hit games by both
Brooke Flewelling and
Elina Bartlett. Flewelling recorded her second career multi-home run game while driving in three runs.
Juliana De Luna drove in a pair while
Avery Brewer also drove in three of her own.
Game 2 (ESU 5, UNK 3)
The Hornets again jumped in front of the Lopers in game two, as a
Brynley Smith RBI single and a wild pitch put Emporia State in front 2-0 in the top of the first. However, Nebraska-Kearney responded in the bottom half with their second three-run inning of the afternoon. The Lopers drew three walks and picked up a pair of hits as they took a 3-2 advantage, their first lead of the afternoon.
Nebraska-Kearney maintained their lead until the top of the third when the Hornets retook the advantage. With two outs,
Brynley Smith was hit by a pitch, and then scored on a triple by
Avery Brewer to tie the game.
Ally Miller then followed Brewer with an RBI single as the Hornets went up 4-3 over the Lopers.
Following a leadoff double in the bottom half for the Lopers,
Maci Hayes entered in relief for Emporia State and eventually stranded two runners in scoring position to keep the Hornets in front.
The score settled at 4-3 over the next three innings, before Emporia State picked up an insurance run in the top of the seventh, again with two outs.
Taryn Burkhardt laid down a bunt single with two away before scoring on an RBI triple from
Brooke Flewelling to push the lead to 5-3.
Hayes returned to the circle in the seventh and delivered her fifth shutout relief inning as the Hornets sealed the sweep with the 5-3 win.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Taryn Burkhardt,
Brooke Flewelling and
Avery Brewer all posted multi-hit games as the top three went 6-11 with four runs scored. Four different Hornets drove in a run in the game, and
Maci Hayes picked up her second win of the season. Hayes allowed just two hits while striking out three in 5.0 shutout innings.
UP NEXT
Emporia State will travel to Fort Hays State for a Saturday doubleheader on April 4. First pitch in game one between the Hornets and Tigers is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
