ESU softball defeats St. Edward's, moves to Saturday's play
7 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2008
Samantha Sheeley was tired and sore but ready for more.
Just minutes after Emporia State’s 3-1 victory over St. Edward’s this afternoon, the senior was already talking about the Hornets’ rematch with St. Edward’s at 10 a.m. Saturday.
“It’s funny — their coaches and players were saying, ‘We’ll see you tomorrow.’ I’ll be ready,” Sheeley said. “I’m waiting for tomorrow.”
One day after getting humbled by Humboldt State, the Hornets were back to their confident selves this afternoon against St. Edward’s.
Now, the team finds itself just two wins away from its first NCAA Championship.
“Momentum is carrying us now,” ESU coach Kristi Bredbenner said. “We don’t want to go home. We’ve earned it here.”
First things first. A win Saturday morning against St. Edward’s would put ESU back into the national title game for the second time in the last three years.
The 4:30 championship game will be broadcast on CBS College Sports.
Against St. Edward's, ESU was once again led by Sheeley, who thrived in her second game of the day.
The right-hander allowed just one run while striking out nine.
“I definitely had a little more swagger,” Sheeley said. “I was throwing a little harder this game.”
The Hornets were able to give Sheeley a lead before she even threw a pitch.
Jessie Wiard started the top of the first with an infield single, and the Hornets picked up their second runner when Wiard beat the throw to second after a bunt by Angela Mahan.
Jennifer Dace put down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third with one out for Miranda Campbell.
Before the at-bat, ESU coach Kristi Bredbenner instructed Campbell from the third-base coach’s box to hit the ball to the right side.
The sophomore came through with the count at 1-2.
“I actually tried to call time, and (the umpire) didn’t give it to me,” Campbell said. “I somehow got my hand on the bat and hit the ball.”
The groundball to second base ended up working just fine, as Wiard scored on the play to make it 1-0.
The Hornets chased St. Edward’s starter Robin Becker with a two-run fourth.
Dace led off with a single under shortstop Mandy Phillips’ glove, and after a Campbell sacrifice and a wild pitch, April Huddleston added to ESU’s lead with another RBI grounder to the second baseman that made it 2-0.
With two outs, Shelbe Hughes walked, then Abby Smith lined a single to right.
Aubree Brattin followed with a low popup that fell in front of a diving Phillips, good for an RBI single that made it 3-0 and brought an end to Becker’s day.
The Hilltoppers scored their only run in the sixth — and even that was controversial.
After a single from Lexi Stephens, Kristen Lozano followed with a two-out RBI double down the third-base line that was ruled fair by the home-plate umpire.
Bredbenner argued the call to no avail.
Sheeley got Karen Varteressian on a pop out to first to prevent further damage, then worked a 1-2-3 seventh to close out the game.
The senior picked up her 31st win, which sets a new ESU single-season record. The previous mark of 30 wins was set by Melissa Stevens in 2006.
The Hornets had five hits, with four of those coming off Becker.
“I think going in, we knew we were going to be able to hit their pitchers,” Bredbenner said. “That makes a big difference for us.”
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)