Emporia State athletics celebrated strong weekends on the diamond in conference and non-conference action.
The Hornet baseball team pounded Arkansas-Fort Smith for 42 total runs on the weekend on the way to a sweep in their opening MIAA series of the season. The Black & Gold won the series with a 12-1 victory in eight innings on Saturday, their second run-rule win to start the series. ESU scored in each of the first four innings to lead 6-0 through three and a half before popping UAFS for five in the eighth to put the game away. Noah Steele drove in a career-high six runs going 3-for-3 with two runs, two walks, and a grand slam while finishing a triple short of the cycle. Logan Myers also finished 3-for-3 in the leadoff spot and led the Hornets with four runs. Colby Deaver (4-0) struck out nine in his 5.0 innings while allowing just one unearned run.
The Big Gold wrapped up the sweep on Sunday with a 16-10 victory over the Lions Sunday. ESU jumped out in front early again with an 8-0 lead through the top of the fifth following a five-run top half of the inning. This time it was Evan Abbott’s turn to clear the bases with a grand slam following three consecutive Hornet singles. The Lions fought back with four in the bottom half of the inning and got within one after plating three in the sixth, but ESU scored three in the seventh, three more in the eighth, and two in the ninth to turn UAFS aside. Six Hornets recorded multi-hit games with Frankie Santiago leading the way going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Myers finished 3-for-4 and scored three runs. Quinton Chindamo was effective in his first career start going four innings and allowing just one hit with five strikeouts but did not qualify for the win. Jake Khasempanth (3-0) was awarded the win after allowing one run and one hit in his one inning of relief. ESU (12-1, 3-0 MIAA) has won six in a row and is off to their best start since winning 15 in a row to begin the 2011 season. ESU hosts Opening Day at the Trusler Sports Complex on Friday, February 27 as Northwest Missouri visits Emporia for a three-game series. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
The Lady Hornet softball team finished the Washburn Tournament 4-1 after picking up two wins on Sunday. ESU started the day off with an 11-0 victory over Drury. The Lady Hornets outhit the Panthers 13-3. ESU scored three in the third, three in the fifth, one in the sixth, and four in the seventh. Kinsey Perine finished 4-for-4 with three runs, a triple, and a home run with two RBI’s while finishing a double short of the cycle. Hannah Butterbaugh (6-1) went five innings giving up just two hits while striking out four to earn the win.
ESU found a comeback in a tight second game Sunday clipping Rockhurst 2-1. The Hawks got on the board first in the third inning before Brooke Flewelling smashed her seventh home run of the season and third of the weekend to tie the game in the sixth. Addison Callaway singled to right field in the seventh to walk it off for the Lady Hornets. Megan Tomlinson (1-0) picked up the win tossing 3.2 innings of scoreless relief while giving up just one hit. ESU (10-5) plays their final non-conference tournament of the season beginning Saturday, February 28 at the Midwest College Classic in Shawnee, Kan.
