February 18, 2008--The #11 Emporia State softball team gave up 11 two-out runs as they were swept in two games on the final day of the ASU Blue & Gold Classic. ESU fell to Cameron 7-4 in the first game and lost to #5 Angelo State 5-3 in the nightcap.

The Hornets got on the board first against Cameron as Shelbe Hughes scored after reaching on an error in the second inning. The Aggies came back in the bottom of the inning to take the lead on a three-rum homer by Shareena Pulse with two outs. CU took a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the third by scoring three runs with two outs on back to back singles and a double off of starter Megan Dennis. Brittany Norris then come on in relief and retired eight of the next ten batters before giving up an unearned run with two out in the bottom of the sixth.

Miranda Campbell scored on a triple by Aubree Brattin in the top of the fourth and then homered to lead off the sixth and Brattin singled in pinch runner Linda Ketter to make it 6-4. The Hornets had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the seventh only to get two fly outs to end the game. Campbell ended game one two for three with an RBI and two runs scored while Brattin was three for three with two RBI.

Samantha Sheeley gave up four runs in the first two innings in a 5-3 loss to #5 Angelo State. After that she settled in and retired 14 of the next 16 batters, including 13 straight at one point, before allowing a single Rambelle run in the top of the seventh. The Hornets score two in the bottom of the second on a sac fly by Hughes and a single from Brattin, but could not get a runner past first until Jill Peters homered to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Jennifer Dace was the only Hornet to get more than one hit in the game, going two for three with a double. Sheeley took the loss despite getting eight strikeouts and giving up only one walk.

ESU will take next weekend off before taking part in the SIU-Edwardsville Cougar Classic on March 1-2 in Edwardsville, Ill.

NOTES:

Miranda Campbell has hit safely in six straight games and nine of ten games on the year.

Campbell has five home runs in just ten games this season after getting three in 58 games last year.

ESU’s seven losses are all to teams with records of .500 or above.

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