Softball splits games with #6 UNO Mavericks

Kellen Jenkins / The Bulletin

Sophomore shortstop Miranda Campell hits a pop fly against South Dakota. The Hornets beat the Lady Coyotes 9-0 in their first game of the day.

Spring sports are in full swing, which means that most weekends, and some weekdays, for the Emporia State softball team are booked.

The Hornets played a double header yesterday against #6 Nebraska-Omaha. The #11 ranked Hornets held their own against the higher ranked Mavericks, splitting the games with a 5-0 victory followed by a close 4-5 loss in the second game.

The Hornet’s first game was pitched by senior Samantha Sheeley. Sheeley went the full seven innings and gave up just two hits while recording six strikeouts. The game’s seven scoreless innings brought Sheeley’s consecutive innings without giving up a run to 23.2. In that game junior second baseman Shelbe Hughes recorded the games sole home run, with a solo shot in the second inning.

In the second game the Hornets gave up two early runs to UNO and were not able to make up the difference in the later part of the game. The Hornets left seven runners on base, missing opportunities to pull ahead of the Mavericks.

The Hornets also played games this weekend, both in Wichita and at ESU’s Old Hornet Field. The Hornets won all four games they played, defeating South Dakota and Augustana College twice each by a combined score of 31-10.

On Sunday, the first day of the tournament, the Hornets were led offensively by senior leftfielder Jessie Wiard, who went 2-4 against South Dakota along with three RBI’s. Starting pitcher Samantha Sheeley had a strong game, going the full seven innings and had a perfect game going into the fifth inning. Sheeley ended the game giving up just two runs and 15 strikeouts while throwing a shutout.

On Monday, when the games were moved back to Emporia, the Hornets defeated the same opponents again. Freshman centerfielder Angela Mahan, who went 5-8 on the day and had six RBI’s, and junior designated hitter Jill Peters, went 4-6 and had 4 doubles on the day.

The Hornet’s early season has been rocky, as there are only four seniors on the roster. Much of the learning that freshmen and sophomores undergo takes place in the early season, and Sheeley said she was happy with the younger player’s progress.

“The young girls are working hard, working to support the seniors and upperclassmen,” Sheeley said. “We’ve had a tough early season, but that’ll just make us more ready when we are all clicking later.”

When asked about the team’s goals for both the short and long-term Hughes said that they are focused on the present, which will determine the future.

“Long-term, obviously we want to win conference; dominate it,” Hughes said. “But to do that we’ve got to play in the present. A big part is staying positive, and just letting mistakes go.”

The Hornets next play this weekend, from March 14-16 at the ESU Tournament, held at Trusler Sports Complex. The exact times of the Hornet’s games have not been announced.