Hornets to start MIAA tourney

Chris Hunter / The Bulletin

Sophomore third baseman Miranda Campbell watches a fly ball fall into her glove against Washburn last weekend. ESU will start play in the MIAA Tournament today with a game against Fort Hays State.

Today at noon, the #12 Emporia State softball team is scheduled to play its first game in the post season MIAA tournament. The regular season conference champs are to play the Fort Hays Tigers at the Mid-America West Sports Complex in Shawnee, Ks.

The Hornets played against the Tigers twice this season, both of them on April 22 in Hays. The Hornets split their games with Fort Hays, winning 8-0 before falling 1-2 in the second game.

The Hornets have had great success the past few years in the tournament, having won the past four years. The Hornets have also won the past four regular season titles, so with this years title Emporia State also holds four consecutive regular season championships.

The Hornets will be led by senior Sam Sheeley, who leads the MIAA with 20 wins. Sheeley is also the conference leader in opponent batting average with a .155, as well as third in the conference with an ERA of 1.37.

At the plate, the Hornet’s leading slugger is sophomore Miranda Campbell who has a .409 batting average, and reaches base more than half the time she steps up to bat. Campbell’s slugging percentage is second in the conference at .805. Campbell is also tied for third in the MIAA in RBI at 41 for the season.

If the Hornets defeat the Tigers, their next opponent will be the winner of the Pittsburg/Washburn game. That game will be played at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The championship game is scheduled to be played at 4 p.m. on Friday.