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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Lauryn Haggadone
Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications
4
Winner Emporia State ESU 26-16, 10-9 MIAA
3
Nebraska Kearney UNKSOFT 13-23, 1-12 MIAA
Winner
Emporia State ESU
26-16, 10-9 MIAA
4
Final
3
Nebraska Kearney UNKSOFT
13-23, 1-12 MIAA
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Emporia State ESU 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 9 2
Nebraska Kearney UNKSOFT 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 3 5 0

W: Harrison, Jordan (5-3) L: Morillas, Daniella (7-10) S: Hipsher, Kelly (3)

6
Emporia State ESU 26-17, 10-10 MIAA
8
Winner Nebraska Kearney UNKSOFT 14-23, 2-12 MIAA
Emporia State ESU
26-17, 10-10 MIAA
6
Final
8
Nebraska Kearney UNKSOFT
14-23, 2-12 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Emporia State ESU 0 0 1 2 1 0 2 6 10 0
Nebraska Kearney UNKSOFT 3 0 0 0 1 4 X 8 7 0

W: Janssen, Madeline (6-10) L: Hipsher, Kelly (1-1) S: Haggadone, Lauryn (1)

Next Game:

Central Missouri

4/12/2024 | 1 p.m.

KLPR 91.1 FM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Apr. 12 (Fri) / 1 p.m.
 Central Missouri
History

Game Recap: Softball |

UNK Splits with E-State at the Wind Farm

Story Links

Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore Madeline Janssen scattered nine hits over 6.2 innings and Nebraska-Kearney struck for four runs in the sixth to win game two over Emporia State, 8-6, Friday evening at Patriot Park.
Madeline Janssen
Madeline Janssen


The Lopers (14-23, 2-12) were poised to win game one as they had the bases loaded with just one out in the seventh and trailing 4-3. However, Hornet closer Kelly Hipsher got back-to-back strikeouts to pick up her third save.

"MJ threw a good game. She struggled with the strike zone a bit but ending up just trusting her spin, trying to get bat on ball and give our defense opportunities to make plays," said UNK head coach Katie Ackermann. "Offensively, we finally executed. We got a runner at first, we either stole her over or executed the bunt and then drove her in. We had timely hits; that was the big thing."

On a day with winds blowing soundly from right to left field, Janssen (Earlham, Ia.) was staked to a 3-0 lead when UNK tallied three runs in its first at-bat. Junior center fielder Eden McNally (Castle Rock, Colo.) had an RBI double with Raymond freshman third baseman Alyssa Fortnik (2 for 3) driving in two with a single to left center.

"It felt good to finally come out and score runs right away. Anytime you have the lead it just builds the momentum. For us, we must keep driving that momentum and put our foot down," said Ackermann. "All gas and no brakes. That's something we need to continue to get better at."

However, E-State countered by scoring at least one run between the third and fifth innings to take a 4-3 lead. Third baseman Brooke Flewelling hit a solo homer in the fourth with centerfielder Alexis Dial hitting a wind-aided dinger down the left field line in the fifth to give the Hornets the lead.

A dropped foul ball with one down in the bottom of the fifth started a Loper rally. McNally drew a walk after the error and eventually scored on a fielder's choice by freshman designated player Gianna Galli (Stockton, Calif.) The Lopers then added four insurance runs in the sixth with a two-run single by senior right fielder Abbie Jo Gaube (Omaha) being the big blow.

Emporia then scored once in the seventh to drive Janssen (6-10) from the game. Freshman Lauryn Haggadone (York) came in with two on and two out and, after surrendering an infield RBI single, got a ground out to earn her first collegiate save.

UNK led the first game 3-1 after three complete but the Hornets used a three-run fifth to win. Dial started the rally with a one-out homer to left with second baseman McKinsley Glass later having a two-run single to left center. Junior Jordan Harrison (5-3) threw 3.2 innings of scoreless relief with Hipsher fanning two and walking two to get the save.  

"Two or three times (in game one) we had a runner at third with less than two outs and we didn't drive them in," said Ackermann.

Freshman Daniella Morillas (Newcastle, Calif.) threw a complete-game eight-hitter for UNK. She fanned eight Hornets and blanked ESU in five innings. At the plate, leadoff hitter and shortstop Mary Chvatal (Wahoo) drew three walks and scored once with junior second baseman Rylyn Nelson (Sterling, Colo.) having a deep two-run homer to left. She now has five of UNK's nine homers. 

"The final three games this weekend we competed well. When you're on a losing streak, it's demoralizing and makes you question yourself. Game two vs. Washburn (3-0 loss) we competed in the circle, threw strikes, took outs when we needed to," said Ackermann. "That carried over to game one today and then we really figured ourselves out in the second game."

The Lopers host Central Missouri (18-18, 7-8) and Newman (15-23, 3-9) next weekend.
 
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Players Mentioned

Mary Chvatal

#13 Mary Chvatal

INF
5' 4"
Sophomore
R/R
Abbie Jo Gaube

#1 Abbie Jo Gaube

OF
5' 7"
Senior
R/R
Gianna Galli

#4 Gianna Galli

UTIL
5' 8"
Freshman
R/R
Eden McNally

#11 Eden McNally

OF
5' 7"
Junior
R/R
Daniella Morillas

#24 Daniella Morillas

P/INF
5' 6"
Freshman
R/R
Rylyn Nelson

#25 Rylyn Nelson

INF
5' 5"
Redshirt Junior
R/R
Lauryn Haggadone

#27 Lauryn Haggadone

P/INF
5' 8"
Freshman
R/R
Madeline Janssen

#21 Madeline Janssen

P
5' 6"
Redshirt Sophomore
R/R

Players Mentioned

Mary Chvatal

#13 Mary Chvatal

5' 4"
Sophomore
R/R
INF
Abbie Jo Gaube

#1 Abbie Jo Gaube

5' 7"
Senior
R/R
OF
Gianna Galli

#4 Gianna Galli

5' 8"
Freshman
R/R
UTIL
Eden McNally

#11 Eden McNally

5' 7"
Junior
R/R
OF
Daniella Morillas

#24 Daniella Morillas

5' 6"
Freshman
R/R
P/INF
Rylyn Nelson

#25 Rylyn Nelson

5' 5"
Redshirt Junior
R/R
INF
Lauryn Haggadone

#27 Lauryn Haggadone

5' 8"
Freshman
R/R
P/INF
Madeline Janssen

#21 Madeline Janssen

5' 6"
Redshirt Sophomore
R/R
P