Softball takes two over the weekend

The team bounced back from their loss Thursday with two wins of their own

Aaron Young
Staff Writer

This past weekend, the Maverick women’s softball bounced back from their lost against Central Missouri with two straight wins. They are now 15-7 on the year. 

On Thursday, the Mavs faced the Pittsburg State Gorillas in a low scoring affair. The Mavericks scored early off a single by senior Cori Kennedy, sending senior outfielder McKenzie Paap home.  

Later on, in the fifth, sophomore Torey Richards would score on a groundout from sophomore outfielder Courtney Potter.  

Sophomore righty Mackenzie Ward pitched her first career no hitter and struck out an impressive 14 batters. She is now 7-6 on the year.  

Potter and Kennedy led the Mavs offense as they both went 1-for-3 with an RBI. 

As for the Gorillas, they only reached the base four times, having been walked three times and on an error.  

In the second game, the Hornets of Emporia State kicked off the game with a solo shot in the first.  

Later in the game, junior Carly Esselman hit a double to drove in Paap to tie the game at one apiece. One out later, Esselman reached home off a fielding error by the Hornets to give the Mavericks the 2-1 lead.  

Esselman was the player of the game as she went 1 of 2 with an RBI.  

Junior Caitlin Stone earned her first win of the year, pitching five innings and recording five strikers.  

Ward came into the game for the save, striking out three batters in the process.  

Due to weather conditions, the game against Washburn was delayed as was the rest of the Emporia State Classic.  

Next up the Mavericks begin conference play with a doubleheader against the Concordia St. Paul Bears. The first game is at 11 a.m., followed by the other at 1 p.m. 

Header photo courtesy of Keith Paap.