Softball | 5/2/2026 10:39:00 PM

May 2, 2026-Emporia State earned the fourth seed in the MIAA Softball Championship Tournament and will play five seed Central Missouri on Thursday at the Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kan.
 
The Hornets finished the regular season 28-17 overall and 14-10 in the MIAA. The matchup between the Hornets and Jennies in the quarterfinals will be the second game of the day on Thursday, May 7 with first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Trusler Sports Complex.
 
Last week the Hornets swept the Jennies, winning 3-2 and 9-6 in Warrensburg, Mo.
 
This will be the 14^th meeting between Emporia State and Central Missouri in the MIAA Tournament with the Hornets leading the all-time series 10-3 in tournament action. The last time the two teams met Emporia State eliminated the Jennies 6-1 in the 2019 tournament in Edmond, Okla.  The Hornets have won eight straight MIAA Tournament games against UCM including wins in the 2004 and 2008 championship games.
 
Emporia State will play host to the MIAA Tournament starting with two first round games on Wednesday, May 6 at the Trusler Sports Complex. Washburn will take on Missouri Western at 3:00 p.m. with the winner advancing to take on top seeded Missouri Southern on Thursday.  Northeastern State will play Northwest Missouri at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals against #2 seed Central Oklahoma. In addition to Emporia State playing Central Missouri, the other quarterfinal will have #3 seed Pittsburg State playing #6 seed  Rogers State on Thursday.  The semifinals will be played on Friday, May 8 with the championship game scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9.  The winner of the MIAA Tournament receives the Association's automatic bid to the NCAA Central Regional Tournament.
 
Tickets are available through the MIAA website. Single day passes are $10 with a four day tournament pass available for $25.  There is a $1 platform fee for purchasing on line.
 
MIAA Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, May 6
3:00 p.m. #8 Wasbhurn vs #9 Missouri Western
5:30 p.m. #7 Northeastern State vs #10 Northwest Missouri
Thursday, May 7
11:00 a.m. #1 Missouri Southern vs WU/MWSU winner
1:30 p.m. #4 Emporia State vs #5 Central Missouri
4:00 p.m. #3 Pittsburg State vs #6 Rogers State
6:30 p.m. #2 Central Oklahoma vs NSU/NWMSU Winner
Friday, May 8
12:00 p.m. Semifinal #1
2:30 p.m. Semifinal #2
Saturday, May 9
12:00 p.m. Championship