The Emporia State softball team had a seven-game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday, as the No. 22 Hornets split a doubleheader against Fort Hays State in Hays.
ESU won the first game, 8-0, before falling in Game Two, 2-1.
Samantha Sheeley once again gave the Hornets a strong outing. The senior allowed no runs and just one hit in her Game One performance, striking out two while walking one.
ESU received an offensive boost from seniors April Huddleston and Jennifer Dace.
Huddleston was 3-for-3 with a homer, a double and three RBI, while Dace was 2-for-3 with three runs driven in.
ESU catcher Aubree Brattin also added a 2-for-2 performance with a pair of runs scored.
The Hornets’ bats went silent in Game Two against FHSU starter Jessica Hamilton.
The right-hander allowed just one run in her seven innings, working around seven walks and two hits.
ESU scored its only run in the fourth inning without the benefit of a hit, using three walks and an RBI hit-by-pitch from Mandi Dennis to take a 1-0 advantage.
The lead wouldn’t last.
Fort Hays State scored a pair in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases before scoring the tying run on an RBI single from Hallie McMillen.
With two outs, the eventual game-winning run came home on a wild pitch by Sheeley, who replaced starter Megan Dennis in the sixth inning.
ESU left eight runners on base in the second game.
Dace and Huddleston had the Hornets’ two hits.
ESU (33-14, 12-2 MIAA) will play at Pittsburg State on Saturday before returning home for Senior Day against Washburn at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Every Hornet fan that wears black or gold will be admitted free on Sunday as part of ESU’s Swarm the Stands Day.
Tuesday at Hays
Game One
ESU 8, Fort Hays State 0
No. 22 ESU 002 501 — 8 11 2
Fort Hays State 000 000 — 0 1 3
W — Sheeley. L — Rupa.
E — ESU: Mahan, Dace; FHSU: Fraser, Kauffman, Booco. DP — ESU 1, FHSU 1. LOB — ESU 9, FHSU 3. 2B — ESU: Mahan, Huddleston. HR — ESU: Huddleston. HBP — ESU: Campbell, Huddleston, Brattin. SH — ESU: Ketter. SF — ESU: Dace. SB — ESU: Brattin, Ketter.
Game Two
Fort Hays State 2, ESU 1
No. 22 ESU 000 100 0 — 1 2 0
Fort Hays State 000 002 X — 2 5 0
W — Hamilton. L — Me. Dennis
LOB — ESU 8, FHSU 5. 2B — ESU: Huddleston; FHSU: Kauffman. 3B — FHSU: Herl. HBP — ESU: Ma. Dennis. SH — ESU: Wiard; FHSU: Eaton. SB — ESU: Mahan, Hughes; FHSU: Tani. CS — ESU: Dennis.
Records — ESU 33-14, 12-2 MIAA; FHSU 30-22, 7-9 MIAA.