The Emporia State softball team saw its bats go cold in a 3-1 loss to Missouri Southern on Friday.
The Hornets (39-9) lost for just the second time in conference play, leaving 12 runners on base.
ESU grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single from Jennifer Dace, but that would be all the offense the team would muster.
The Hornets left the bases loaded in the first and second innings. Nine of the runners that would be stranded in the game were left on either second or third base.
Courtney Reed was effective in the circle for ESU until the sixth inning. Entering with a one-hitter, she allowed three runs on three singles as Southern (16-28, 5-11 MIAA) took a 3-1 advantage.
The Hornets had the tying runs on second and third in the seventh after a two-out double by Miranda Campbell, but Lacey Pendry struck out to end it.
Reed dropped to 22-4, losing her first game since Feb. 17 when she fell to No. 4 Angelo State.
Chelsea McClernon and Campbell both had two hits to lead the ESU offense.
Earlier in the day, the Hornets got the last two outs to finish off a rain-delayed 3-1 victory in a game that was halted Tuesday because of rain.
Reed induced a groundout and flyout for the final two outs.
Friday at Shawnee
Game One
ESU 3, MSSU 1
(Game resumed after rain postponement in 7th)
Emporia State 001 000 2 — 3 8 1
Mo. Southern 100 000 0 — 1 3 2
W — Reed. L — Craig.
E — ESU: Dace; MSSU: Brittan; Bowen. DP — ESU 1. LOB — ESU 9; MSSU 2. 2B — ESU: Campbell. HBP — ESU: Huddleston; Davison. SH — ESU: Dace; MSSU: Brittan; McPeters. SB — ESU: Pfautsch. CS — ESU: Viola.
Game Two
MSSU 3, ESU 1
Emporia State 100 000 0 — 1 9 1
Mo. Southern 000 003 X — 3 4 0
E — ESU: Huddleston. LOB — ESU 12; MSSU 4. 2B — ESU: Campbell; Pfautsch; MSSU: Bowen. HBP — ESU: Huddleston. SH — ESU: Dace; MSSU: McPeters. SB — ESU: McClernon,C; Wiard; Campbell.