WICHITA - The 18th-ranked Emporia State Hornets scored early and often, picking up a run-rule sweep of the Newman softball team Wednesday evening at Newman Softball Field. ESU took game one 14-2, before taking a 13-3 decision in the nightcap.

Game 1: No. 18 Emporia State 14, Newman 2
After giving up an opening-inning run, Newman (1-19) took an early lead with two runs in their half of the first inning. Kayla Bontrager opened the inning with a double to left-center field, then moved to second when Steph Harshberger was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced a base when Emporia State (22-7)'s Karley Schmelzer was called for an illegal pitch, giving the Jets runners on second and third with nobody out. Erin Schmidt followed by grounding out to second base, but advanced Harshberger to advance to third after Bontrager scored. A Lauren Rorebeck double to left center pushed Harshberger across the plate, and gave Newman a 2-1 lead with another runner in scoring position with just one out, but Schmelzer retired the side, leaving the Jets with a slim 2-1 edge.

That was where the good news ended for the Jets. Emporia State tied the game in the second, then added exploded for five runs in the fourth to take a 7-2 advantage. The Hornets owned the late innings in the opener, adding a run in the fifth before making sure the game ended early by nailing six runs to the board in the sixth en route to the 14-2 run-rule win.

Allison Thummel was saddled with the loss in the opener, faling to 1-12 on the season after giving up five earned runs on five hits.

Game 2: No. 18 Emporia State 13, Newman 3
Emporia State (23-7) took advantage of a sloppy first inning by Newman (1-20) to steal the early momentum. The Hornets opened the game with a three-run first inning, and added another run in the second to take a 4-0 lead before the Jets could even record a hit.

The Jets finally got their chance to do some work on the scoreboard in the fourth inning. Trailing 7-0, Jennifer Stasiewicz and Katie Traffas each reached base on four-pitch walks. A single by Amy Bullerman advanced Stasiewicz and Traffas one base each, loading the bases for Newman with nobody out. Kayla Bontrager and Steph Harshberger played copy-cat with eachother in their at bats. Both reached base via fielders choices after Stasiewicz and Traffas were forced out at home, but the Jets still had a bases-loaded situation with two outs. Amy Schneider made the most of the situation, sending a long single to right field, where the ESU fielder misplayed the ball, allowing it to roll to the fence. When it was all said and done, Bullerman, Bontrager, and Harshberger had crossed the plate, and the Jets trailed 7-3.

The Hornets eliminated any chance of a comeback in the fifth inning, slapping six more runs on the board to take the 13-3 margin they went on to win by.

Allison Thummel was dealt her second loss of the night, falling to 1-13 on the season after allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits while walking five and striking out four in 3.2 innings of work.

After the sweep, the Jets fall to 1-19 on the season. They will return to action Tuesday, hosting Fort Hays State for a double-header slated to begin at 5 p.m. at Newman Softball Field.