The Lady Hornets Softball team played at home last weekend in a series of four games in two days in the Emporia State Classic. Their record over the course of the series was 1-3.
“On the positive side, this weekend was full of lessons,” said Annelise Rockley, senior UTL (utility player). “Everyone of us gets stronger each game we play. It’s still early in the season, we took a couple steps back this weekend, but we will bounce back.”
In the first day of the tournament, the Hornets fell to both University of Missouri- St. Louis and Henderson State University.
Their first match was played against the University of Missouri-St. Louis Feb. 17. In the first inning, each team scored one point to keep the game fairly low-scoring until the Hornets scored five runs in the fifth inning.
This lead, however, would not last for long, as the University of Missouri- St. Louis scored six runs to take the lead. The Hornets fell 7-10 in the first game of the ESU Classic.
Their second match was played against Henderson State University. The Hornets went hitless for the first two innings and ended up falling to Henderson State University 2-6.
The Hornet women had a positive third match the following day against Southern Arkansas in a very close, low scoring game. The score was tied 1-1 for the first four innings, before the Hornets scored two runs in the fifth inning while Southern Arkansas scored one run.
Two more runs were scored in total as the Hornets came out on top for a much needed victory, 4-3.
The fourth and final match of the weekend was a double header played the same day after the Hornet’s victory over Southern Arkansas. The Hornets played William Jewell College out of Missouri.
Neither team got off to a quick start in the scoring department. However, William Jewell College scored five of their six total runs in the top of the third.
The Hornets ended up falling to William Jewell 3-6 to finish up the ESU Classic at home.
“I think we played together pretty well,” said Danielle Sprinkle, first baseman and UTL (utility player). “Our offense wasn’t as strong as we have been in the past but our defense was very consistent the whole weekend.”
The Hornet women will be back in action at home this weekend in a tournament against three other teams. Games start at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and the final game at 2 p.m. the following day.
