Delaney Davis shined in her first career start as Emporia softball split a doubleheader with Ottawa on Opening Day at Peter Pan Park in Emporia on Thursday.
Game one was all Ottawa as the Cyclones won 19-3. The Lady Spartan defense let them down with eight errors. The offense managed just three hits one apiece from Izzy Ultreras, Molly Williams, and Davis. Williams added two stolen bases.
Alivia Barrett took the complete game loss in seven innings.
Game two featured a late Ottawa rally but Emporia held on for the 4-3 win.
Williams got the Black and Red on the board with a two run single in the second. Ultreras drove in Williams for a three run lead. Emporia grew the lead to four in the fifth as Barrett drove in Ultreras after a triple. The game got tight in the seventh after three runs from Ottawa, who left the tieing run on third base to end it.
Ultreras and Molly Sewell each had three hits.
Coach Tommy McClure said Ultreras is ready to have a big year.
Freshman Davis earned the complete game win with five strikeouts and scattered 11 hits. She admitted she was nervous going into the night.
EHS starts the year 1-1 and will host Wichita South Friday at 4 p.m.
