April 21, 2009-Emporia State split a doubleheader with #25 Missouri Western on Tuesday at the Trusler Sports Complex. The Hornets won game one 3-0 and fell 7-6 in the nightcap.
Megan Dennis tossed her fifth shut out of the season despite scattering nine hits in the opener. Abby Hughes gave the Hornets all the run support they would need with a two run homer in the third inning. It was her tenth home run of the game and Miranda Campbell followed with her sixth homer one batter later.
Campbell ended the game two for three with and RBI while Hughes was one for two with two RBI. Dennis struck out four and did not walk a batter as she recorded her third shut out in five games.
Missouri Western took a 1-0 lead in the third on Kasey Smith’s RBI double. ESU responded in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single from Jennifer Dace. The Griffons hit three doubles in the top of the fourth on their way to a four run inning. Keri Franks had a two RBI double to highlight the inning. The Hornets responded with one in the bottom of the fourth on Abby Smith’s home run down the left field line. Campbell hit her second home run of the day to score Angela Mahan and cut the lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth. Western made it 7-4 with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. ESU scored two in the bottom of the seventh on Jenna Potter’s bases loaded double but that was as close as they could get.
Jennifer Heerey started and took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in 3.1 innings. Dennis came on to finish the game allowing two runs in 3.2 innings. Campbell was one for one with three walks and the two run homer. Smith was two for four with a home run.
The Hornets are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Washburn. First pitch of the Turnpike Tussle is set for 3 p.m. at the WU Softball Complex on the Washburn campus.