ESU Falls in Regional Championship Game

EMPORIA, Kan. (ESU Media Relations) -- For the second day in a row, #19 Angelo State was able to come from behind to defeat No. 11 Emporia State in the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. The Hornets led 3-0 going into the sixth inning before giving up five runs in the final two innings in a 5-3 victory in the regional championship game.

ESU left the bases loaded in the first inning and had two outs in the second when Linda Ketter doubled. Angela Mahan then singled up the middle to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead. Jessica Brewer reached on a infield single before Abby Hughes singled to left to score Mahan. After Angelo State brought in April Haywood to pitch, Miranda Campbell loaded the bases with an infield single and Amanda Self walked to force in the third run of the inning. Abby Smith struck out to leave the bases loaded for the second straight inning.

The score would remain at 3-0 until the top of the sixth. Alix Dean led off for the Rambelles with an infield single and was when Kaycee Taylor reached on a fielders choice. Kacie Easley singled up the middle to put runners at first and second for Amanda Wihelm. She doubled to left center to put ASU on the board. With runners on second and third, Brittany Astle hit a grounder back to Ladenburger in the circle. After bobbling the ball and looking at third, the freshman threw errantly to first base allowing two runners to score and ASU to tie the score. She came back to get a line drive to third for the second out and ended the inning by striking out Megan Pumphrey.

In the bottom of the sixth, Brewer led off with a single and went to second on Abby Hughes sac bunt. Angelo State then intentionally walked Campbell for the third time in the game and the fourth time in the two games of the tournament. Brewer and Campbell both moved up on a passed ball. Amanda Self hit a rocket right at Rambelle third baseman Nicole Smith who stepped on the bag to double up Brewer and end the inning.

Sarah DeMoss tripled to lead off the seventh and scored on Dean's single up the middle. Taylor then doubled to score Dean, giving ASU a 5-3 lead and chasing Ladenburger. Jennifer Heerey came on in relief and struck out Easly and Wilhelm to end the inning.

Astle robbed Abby Smith on a diving catch in center field to start the bottom of the seventh and Haywood ended the game with a pair of ground outs to send ASU on to the Super Regional. The Rambelles will take on Midwestern State in a best two out of three series in Wichita Falls, Texas on May 21-22.

ESU ends their season 50-14, the fourth 50 win season in the program's history. They will return five of eight position players and all four pitchers for next year's team.