EMPORIA, KS – Senior Josie Harrison and sophomore Gracie Rabehad strong outings in the circle to help Emporia State sweep a double header from Nebraska-Kearney, 7-2 and 2-1, Friday in Kansas.
The Hornets (23-15, 5-7) improve to 12-8 at home and have now taken nine of the last 12 games from the Lopers (13-23, 4-8). UNK is at nationally-ranked Washburn on Saturday.
In the nightcap, Harrison (4-4) allowed no runs and fanned eight in a seven-inning relief effort. Starter Sydney Righi was pulled early after walking two and issuing a wild pitch. Harrison totaled 120 pitches, issued 10 ground outs and gave up just four hits.
Emporia had an RBI ground out in the third with a steal of third and a throwing error scoring the winning run in the fourth. UNK was paced by Wahoo freshman shortstop Mary Chvatal (2 for 3) and California sophomore Sydney Thomason (1 for 3; 3.1 IP, on earned run).
The Hornets tallied all seven of its game one runs in the fifth. The first six batters reached safely, via five walks and a hit-by-pitch, with Harrison (1 for 1, one run) adding a two-run single to left center. Rabe (9-5) struck out four and allowed two earned over five full innings.
Lincoln junior center fielder Carly Dembowski had an RBI for UNK with Lincoln first baseman Leah Jurgens having a hit and RBI.
