February 20, 2009-The #25 Emporia State softball team lost a pair of games at the South Central Shootout in Durant, Okla. on Friday.  The Hornets lost their first game 9-2 to the host school, #8 Southeastern Oklahoma State and fell 6-5 to St. Mary’s (Texas) in their second game.
ESU  gave up five home runs in a 9-2 loss at #8 Southeastern Oklahoma State in the first game of the Shootout.
The Hornets received 12 walks, but left 11 runners on base during the game.  Linda Ketter had ESU's only hit on a fifth inning solo home run.
All nine of the Savage Storm's runs came via the long ball. Erika Bernal had the big bat for the Storm, going two for thee with two home runs and five RBI.
Megan Dennis took the loss for ESU despite striking out eight and only walking one during six innings of work.
In the nightcap, ESU gave up three unearned runs in a 6-5 loss to St. Mary’s.  
The Hornets got on top 1-0 in the first when Abby Smith drove in Jennifer Dace with a two out single. The Rattlers went ahead in the top of the second by scoring three runs on just two hits, with an error and two walks.  
ESU trailed 6-4 going into the bottom of t he seventh and pulled within a run on Dace’s RBI single with two outs. The Hornets had the tying run on third and winning run on second when All-American Miranda Campbell was called out on strikes to end the game.
Dace was three for four with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI for ESU while Jenna Potter went two for three with a homer and two runs scored.
Jennifer Heerey struck out eight and gave up just three earned runs in 5.2 innings for the loss.  Megan Dennis gave up one unearned run in 1.1 innings of relief with out giving up a hit.
ESU is back in action on Saturday when they take on preseason #3 St. Edward’s, in a rematch of last May’s national semifinals, and Newman. First pitch against St. Edward’s is set for 10 a.m. with the Newman game set for a 4 p.m. start.