Senior pitcher Kelly Hipsher winds up a pitch in a game against Wayne State on Feb. 17. " />
Senior pitcher Kelly Hipsher winds up a pitch in a game against Wayne State on Feb. 17.
Hornet softball claimed the 3-day ESU Classic tournament at Trusler Sports Complex with five straight wins in games against Wayne State, UMary, and Sioux Falls.
The tournament started on Saturday Feb. 17 with a matchup against the Wayne State Wildcats where the Hornets totalled 16 hits and 5 doubles, taking the game 13-6.
Graduate infielder Abbey Ward and senior outfielder Emma Furnish had three hits during the game with two RBI and three RBI respectively. Senior outfielder Alexis Dial also had three hits and accumulated four runs during the game. ESU faced off against the Wildcats the following day, winning again 7-0.
The Hornets also played against UMary twice during the tournament. ESU took a 9-0 victory in the first game, which was completed in five innings, and then went on to beat UMary in the second game 9-1. The Hornets capped off the tournament with a 3-2 win over Sioux Falls.
The Hornets will now defend their six game win streak at the Washburn Tournament from Feb. 23 through Feb. 25. A total of six games will be played by the Lady Hornets, all of which will be non conference games.
The Hornets will face off against Minot State out of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference who have a .625 winning percentage so far. ESU will then play Minnesota State – Mankato for the third time this year. In the previous meeting between the two teams, Minnesota State took both games 2-1 and 8-0.
ESU will go on to play Augustana, Minnesota Crookston and Maryville University followed by Sioux Falls. Earlier this season, the Hornets took the win against Sioux Falls 3-2.
The Hornets will enter MIAA conference play after the Washburn Tournament starting March 8.