ESU Softball Falls to Angelo State, 10-5

EMPORIA, Kan. (ESU Media Relations) -- In a game that was delayed for over four hours in between the fourth and fifth innings, Emporia State fell to Angelo State 10-5 in the winner's bracket championship game of the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament.

The Hornets got on the board first when Miranda Campbell doubled in Abby Hughes in the third inning. Abby Smith then drove in Campbell to make it 2-0 ESU in the third inning. The Hornets scored a pair of unearned runs in the fourth to go up 4-0. With two outs Jessica Brewer lined a single off the glove of ASU's pitcher April Haywood. Hughes and Campbell both walked to load the bases for Amanda Self. The freshman catcher then hit a towering pop up that glanced off ASU third baseman Nicole Smith allowing two runners to score and give ESU a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, the first six batters reached base for the Rambelles, four of them via the walk, as the Hornets went through three pitchers to start the inning. Jennifer Heerey came on in relief after ESU starter Paige Ladenburger gave up a double and two walks to load the bases. Heerey walked the next two batters to cut the Hornet lead in half. Karly Schmelzer then came on and was greeted by an infield single from Sarah DeMoss that made the score 4-3 ESU. After getting the first out of the inning with a strike out, Alix Dean gave the Bronchos the lead with a two RBI double to left center. Kaycee Taylor made it 6-4 with a single to center and Kacie Easley hit a sacrifice fly to center to give ASU a three run lead. At the end of the inning the umpires called for the tarp and a four hour delay ensued.

After play resumed at 4:10 p.m., Ladenburger returned to the circle for the Hornets in the bottom of the fifth and struck out the side around a one out single. ESU stranded two runners in the sixth when Abby Smith lined out to right field. The Rambelles added three runs on four hits in the bottom of the sixth to go up by six runs. The Hornets added one run on Jenna Potter's solo home run in the top of the seventh to make the final score 10-5 as ESU lost their first game at the Trusler Sports Complex this year.

Emporia State will face Texas Woman's at 8:45 p.m. tonight from the Trusler Sports Complex.