The Lady Hornet softball team, due to a lack of offense, lost both games of a doubleheader to Missouri Southern State last Saturday in Joplin, Missouri.

The Hornets were in an early hole in game one as MSSU scored five runs in the bottom of the first. The five runs turned out to be the only offense the Lions would need. MSSU starting pitcher Ashley Lutz put a quick end to the limited scoring opportunities Emporia State had. She pitched 7.0 innings, allowing only one earned run, on the way to a 5-2 Lion’s victory.

Game two was a pitcher’s duel as the score read 0-0 through four innings. Holly Hinkel, sophomore pitcher, held her own before the Lions finally broke through with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. ESU would come right back to score a run in the top of the sixth, but a double play and a runner thrown out at home plate limited what could have been a longer inning. MSSU would tack on another run in the bottom of the sixth to move the score to 4-1. Lion’s game one starter Ashley Lutz appeared out of the bullpen to record the final three outs and complete the sweep.

With the losses, ESU’s record fell to 15-20 with a 5-7 mark in MIAA play.