May 16, 2008-The #6 Hornet softball team has advanced to the final day of the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament with a 3-1 win over St. Edward’s on Friday. The two teams will meet again on Saturday morning for the right to advance to the national championship game.

Jessie Wiard opened the game with a slap single and then beat out the throw to second on a fielder’s choice bunt by Angela Mahan. Jennifer Dace then sacrificed Wiard to third and she scored on Miranda Campbell’s ground out for a 1-0 lead.

ESU would tack on two more runs in the fourth inning. Dace opened the inning with a single under the shortstops glove into left field. Nicole Bergley then ran for Dace and went to second on a sac bunt by Campbell. After a wild pitch sent Bergley to third and she scored on April Huddleston’s ground out. Shelbe Hughes then walked with two outs and went to third on Abby Smith’s single down the right field line. Aubree Brattin then reached on an infield single that plated Hughes.

The Hilltoppers picked up their run in the sixth when Lexi Stephens led off with an infield single that Mahan kept from going into right field. Mandy Phillips then popped up to Sheeley and Lisa Paul grounded back to Sheeley before Kristen Lozano doubled over the bag at third into the left field corner to score Stephens. Sheeley would then retire the last four batters to preserve the win and send ESU to Saturday.

Sheeley went the distance again for ESU, striking out nine and scattering five hits. Campbell was one for two with an RBI for the Hornets offense.

ESU will take on St. Edward’s again on Saturday morning in the national semi-finals. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Memorial Park in Houston, Texas.

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