The Emporia State softball team took care of business Wednesday in 13-0 and 15-2 run-rule victories against Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Mo.
SBU entered the games at the bottom of the MIAA standings with a 5-18 record.
“They’ve struggled a little bit, and sometimes it’s easy to play down to their level,” ESU coach Kristi Bredbenner said. “Our girls played at our level the entire time.”
Morgan Viola was the offensive star for the Hornets, going 5-for-8 in the twinbill with two home runs and 10 RBI.
Bredbenner said the improvement came from the senior being more patient at the plate.
“She was getting a little overanxious there halfway through the year and was starting to swing at some balls she’s just unable to hit above her hands,” Bredbenner said. “I think her pitch selection today was great.”
Courtney Reed and Megan Grisell combined on a one-hit shutout in Game One, not allowing a ball out of the infield.
Meanwhile, ESU posted all 13 of its runs in the first three innings.
In Game Two, SBU actually held a lead after a first-inning solo home run from McKenzie Mortimer.
The Hornets responded with five runs in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings, rallying for their ninth run-rule victory this season.
Viola, Chelsea McClernon and Megan Davison all had home runs for ESU in the 12-hit effort.
Bredbenner said she was happy with her team’s offensive mindset.
“I definitely think we have to have an aggressive attitude all year,” Bredbenner said. “I think that makes for a very competitive team and a very feared team. Teams don’t really know what to throw us anymore.”
ESU now has more than triple the run total of its opponents (247-77) and double the hits (326-162) this season.
The Hornets (31-7, 4-0 MIAA) will continue their longest road trip of the season on Friday, traveling to face Missouri Western. ESU will play Northwest Missouri State on Saturday and Washburn next Wednesday.
“These next six games for us are going to make or break our season,” Bredbenner said. “Our girls have to be ready.”
Wednesday at Bolivar, Mo.
Game One
ESU 13, SBU 0
Emporia State 274 00 — 13 13 0
SW Baptist 000 00 — 0 1 2
W — Grisell. L — Orchard
E — SBU: Orchard; Cook. LOB — ESU 8; SBU 1. 2B — ESU: Davison; Stevens. HR — Viola. HBP — ESU: Huddleston; Stevens. SH — ESU: Huddleston. SB — ESU: Wiard.
Game Two
Emporia State 005 55 — 15 12 0
SW Baptist 100 10 — 2 4 2
W — Sheeley. L — Mortimer.
E — SBU: Griffin; Coates. DP — ESU 1. LOB — ESU 5; SBU 1. 3B — ESU: Dace. HR — ESU: McClernon; Davison; Viola; SBU: Mortimer 2. HBP — ESU: Stevens. SH — Wiard. SB — ESU: Wiard 2. CS — ESU: Pfautsch; SBU: Provance. Reached on CI — ESU: Huddleston.