Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State softball team split a pair of contests against Emporia State Saturday afternoon at RiverHawks Park.
The Hornets (27-12, 14-6 MIAA) took the opening game of the series by a 5-1 margin, while the RiverHawks (19-17, 11-5 MIAA) grabbed game two 5-4.
ESU scored its first run of the day in the fifth inning of the first game, which ended NSU's 35-inning streak without conceding a run.
ESU 5 , NSU 1 (Box Score)
The two squads jockeyed for position throughout the first five innings, but it was the Hornets that were able to get the upper hand.
The visitors jumped on top with a leadoff homer in the top of the sixth, and the Hornets would end the frame with a 2-0 lead. NSU was quickly sat down in batting order in the home half of the sixth inning after experiencing a 30-minute lightning delay.
The Hornets were quick to add to their lead and scored three more runs in the top of the seventh frame to improve to 5-0.
The RiverHawks had a glimmer of hope in the home half of the seventh when junior
Navada Campos blasted a leadoff homerun to left field to put NSU on the board 5-1. However,
Northeastern State was unable to score again and left the inning with two on base.
Campos hit her seventh home run of the season and earned her 25th RBI of the year.
Senior
Cayce Coleman (6-4) recorded the loss in the circle after throwing a complete seven-inning game. She allowed seven hits and five runs.
NSU 5 , ESU 4 (Box Score)
Emporia State jumped on top 1-0 in the beginning of the first frame of the second game. The RiverHawks battled back and scored freshman
Saharra Henson after junior
Amanda Harjo reached on a fielder's choice to tie ESU 1-1 in the home half of the first inning. Henson led off for NSU and doubled to right center to get on base.
Northeastern State showed its strength in the home half of the fourth frame when Campos and senior
Lindsea Ross both reached base on a pair of single shots. Both Campos and Ross scored after junior
Allyson Pogue hit a single to centerfield. An error plated both runners, and Pogue was able to advance to third. She later scored on a bunt single from Henson.
Junior
Madison Reed singled to shortstop and moved Henson to second base, Henson then advanced to third on a throwing error by the shortstop. Harjo reached on a fielder's choice and created the opportunity for Henson to score the winning run of the contest and put NSU on top 5-1 in the bottom of the second inning.
The Hornets battled back and added three more runs in the top of the third frame but were no match for Northeastern State's defense, dropping the second game 5-4 after seven innings.
Henson went 2-for-3, scored two runs and drove home one. Pogue and Harjo each provided NSU with two runs batted in.
Freshman
Kayce Wooldridge (6-9) claimed the win in the circle after throwing the final four innings. She allowed only two hits. Sophomore
Shelby Enloe threw the opening three frames and allowed five hits and four runs to collect the no decision.
Northeastern State will face No. 8 Central Oklahoma (30-7, 14-1 MIAA) for a doubleheader at 2 p.m. April 14 in Edmond, Okla.
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH CLAY DAVIS
On earning the split…
“The second game was a big win for us. Emporia State is one of the top teams in the conference. To earn a split against them is a huge step for our program and builds our confidence moving forward.”
On Kayce Wooldridge's pitching…
“She was phenomenal today. She pitched like an upper classman and not like a freshman. She handled the big moment well and she's continuing to learn and improve.”
On the strength of the lineup…
“When our lineup is hitting its contagious. We used the seventh inning of the first game as momentum going in the second. We had really good at bats.
Saharra Henson started off with a leadoff double and when Henson is hitting well, the whole team goes.”
On the matchup with UCO Sunday…
“We are excited about the challenge and the opportunity. We're going to give it our all and go out and have a fun day.”
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