The Emporia U-18 Energy softball team outlasted both the weather and the Topeka Lady Cats on Friday night to pick up a victory in the first round of the ASA State Tournament in Topeka.
Emporia took care of business with an 8-1 victory over the Lady Cats at Hummer Sports Park before the rains set in, which postponed the rest of the tournament until a date still to be determined.
After a scoreless first inning, Topeka struck first by plating a run in the bottom of the second.
But that would be all the offense for the Lady Cats.
Emporia ripped the lead away from Topeka with a four-run third inning that got started when Andrea McAfee led off by reaching on an error.
A walk to McKenzie Cinelli put two on for Brendy Muninger, who doubled in McAfee from second to tie the game at 1.
Then, back-to-back singles from Amy McAfee and Amber Jones pushed Cinelli and Muninger home to give Emporia a 3-1 lead, and Amy McAfee scored on a fielder’s choice to put Emporia ahead 4-1.
Emporia was in danger of giving up its lead in the bottom half of the inning, as the Lady Cats loaded the bases. But the Energy got out of the inning unscathed, as Topeka stranded all three baserunners.
The Energy capped off its scoring with another four-run outburst in the fourth inning.
Andrea McAfee and Cinelli drew back-to-back walks to start, and then Muninger singled to load the bases. Amy McAfee walked to force home Andrea McAfee and then Cinelli scored on a wild pitch to put Emporia up 6-1.
Elyse Hecht and Javyn Carl each knocked out RBI singles to score Muninger and Amy McAfee to make it 8-1.
Jones picked up the victory in the circle for the Energy, allowing just the one run on three hits.
Muninger led the Energy offense with three hits, reaching base four times and scoring twice. Andrea McAfee also reached base four times on three walks and an error while also scoring twice. Cinelli and Amy McAfee each scored twice, with Amy McAfee, Hecht and Carl chipping in hits.
Emporia’s record is now 15-7. The Energy will head to Wellington for a tournament this weekend.