May 14, 2008—After getting started nearly an hour after the scheduled start time, the #6 Emporia State Hornet softball team secured a 6-0 shutout victory over #9 C.W. Post to advance at the NCAA Division II Championship Finals.

Jessie Wiard started the game by reaching on an error by Pioneer pitcher Samantha Yodowitz. Angela Mahan then reached base when her bunt died in the batter’s box sending Wiard to second. Jennifer Dace then delivered a single through the left side to plate Wiard and give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.

Aubree Brattin started a rally in the fourth when she singled through the left side with one out. Jenna Potter then reached when Yodowitz threw high on a bunt attempt that put runners on second and third. Wiard then reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Mahan’s ground out to second scored Brattin for a 2-0 Hornet lead. Dace made it 4-0 when she stroked a single to left that scored two runs as the ball was misplayed in left field.

Brattin started another rally in the sixth when she reached on a fielding error by shortstop Christy Softy. Potter sacrificed Brattin to second and went to third on a ground out by Wiard. Mahan singled up the middle to plate Brattin and then scored on Dace’s double to left. Miranda Campbell then reached base on an RBI fielder’s choice that gave ESU a 6-0 lead and chased Yodowitz.

Samantha Sheeley was again impressive in the circle, scattering six hits while striking out nine for her 29 th win of the season.

Dace was three for four with two RBI while Mahan was two for four with two RBI. Brattin went two for four with two runs scored at the plate and had three assists, including her eighth caught stealing in 22 attempts this season.

With the win ESU moves on to take on #8 Humboldt State on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The Lumberjacks upset #1 Lock Haven 2-1 in ten innings.

NOTES:
The shut out was Sheeley’s tenth of the year.
Sheeley is just one win away from tying Melissa Stevens school record of 30 wins set in 2006.
Sheeley now has 307 strike outs to rank fourth on the ESU single season list.
This is ESU’s second trip to the NCAA Division II Championship Final Tournament in three years. The Hornets are now 5-2 in the Champioinship Tournament.
ESU has now won 11 straight games and 25 of their last 28.
This will be the first meeting between ESU and Humboldt State.

Upcoming Events

• ESU at Angelo State in NCAA Tournament
May 9 at 2 p.m. San Angelo, Texas
• ESU vs. TBA in NCAA Tournament
May 9or 10 at TBA San Angelo, Texas

Recent Scores

• at ASU 13, ESU 12 (9) - May 9, 2009
• ESU 3, UNO 2 (10) - May 8, 2009
• ESU 5, UNO 3 - May 3, 2009
• ESU 5, UNO 1 - May 3, 2009
• ESU 3, MWSU 0 - May 2, 2009
• ESU 2, UCM 0 - May 2, 2009
• ESU 9, FHSU 2 - May 2, 2009
• MWSU 6, ESU 1 - May 1, 2009
• ESU 9, WU 0 - May 1, 2009
• at ESU 7, FHSU 1 - April 24, 2009
• at ESU 6, FHSU 0 - April 24, 2009