Hit the road: Emporia State softball to travel for Regional play
By Jesse Newell
Thursday, May 3, 2007
The Emporia State softball seniors have played their final game at home after all.
After sitting at the top of the Regional standings all season, ESU (42-10) dropped to No. 2 in the North Central poll this week, which gave the NCAA Regional berth to new No. 1-seed Minnesota-Mankato.
The Hornets — despite having fewer in-region losses and also a 9-2 victory in the two teams’ head-to-head matchup — will be sent north to Minnesota when Regional play begins next week.
“The girls are pretty upset about not getting to be the Regional host,” ESU coach Kristi Bredbenner said. “I think that they’re on a mission now.”
Minnesota-Mankato (40-12) has won 14 consecutive games and has lost just twice since falling to ESU on March 24 in Emporia. The Mavericks jumped eight spots in the NFCA National Poll this week, moving from No. 14 to No. 6.
The Hornets dropped from No. 6 to No. 10 and are one of five teams in the Top 10 that will not play host to their own Regional.
“People are doubting us, and I’m liking that,” Bredbenner said. “I think that people think we’re not as good as we are. I don’t think we’ve played to our potential yet. I think the girls are going to get into a rhythm.”
ESU could still earn the No. 1 seed in the region by winning the MIAA Tournament this weekend, but the Regional site would not be changed. The official Regional berths and seedings will be announced on Monday.
The Hornets benefited by playing host to the Regionals last year, as they went 4-1 at the Trusler Sports Complex to earn their first-ever berth into the NCAA Division II Softball World Series.
Bredbenner doesn’t believe the road atmosphere will have a major effect on this year’s team.
“I always feel like when you’re playing at home, there’s a little bit more pressure on you because you are the No. 1 seed. You’re the host team,” Bredbenner said. “The fans are behind you, but they’re also expecting a lot out of you, too. We’ve got nothing to lose right now.”