May 11, 2008-Tournament Most Outstanding Player Miranda Campbell had two home runs, one of them a grand slam, as #6 Emporia State run ruled Winona State 9-1 in the NCAA Division II North Central Regional Softball Tournament Championship Game. With the win ESU advances to the NCAA Softball National Championship Tournament for the second time in three years.

The Hornets fell behind when the Warriors Mollie Bjelland homered to lead off the second inning. The next three batters all reached base for WSU on a single by Jenny Wilmes, fielder?s choice by Annie Stuedemann and a single by Laura Wright before Samantha Sheeley coaxed two foul outs to end the inning.

April Huddleston doubled to lead off the second for ESU. Shelbe Hughes then sacrificed Nicole Bergley, who had come in to run for Huddleston, over to third. Bergley then scored on a squeeze bunt by Abby Smith to tie the score.

The Hornets took the lead in the bottom of the third when Jessie Wiard singled to center, stole second and went to third on a throwing error, before scoring on a sac fly by Angela Mahan. Jennifer Dace then singled before Campbell hit the first of her two home runs on the day to give ESU a 4-1 lead. The Hornets made it 5-1 when Mandi Dennis, who was running for Shelbe Hughes, scored on a wild pitch.

Wiard opened the fourth with her third single of the day and then stole her ESU record 45th base of the year. After back to back walks to Mahan and Dace, Campbell drove a shot over the wall in right field to give the Hornets an eight run lead.

After giving up a single to Wright in the second inning, Sheeley retired the final 11 batters she faced to record her 28th win of the year.

The Hornets will play their first game of the national championship tournament on Wednesday, May 14 in Houston, Texas. The last time ESU advanced to the championship tournament, the Hornets went 4-2 losing 3-0 in the national title game to Lock Haven.

All North Central Regional Tournament Team

Pitcher Samantha Sheeley, Sr. Emporia State

Pitcher Kristen Fossell, Sr. Winona State

Catcher Aubree Brattin, Jr. Emporia State

Infield Jennifer Dace, Jr. Emporia State

Infield Miranda Campbell, So. Emporia State

Infield April Huddleston, Sr. Emporia State

Infield Ashley Lynch, Fr. Neb.-Omaha

Outfield Mollie Bjelland, Fr. Winona State

Outfield Jessie Wiard, Sr. Emporia State

Outfield Shelbe Huges, Jr. Emporia State

Designated Player Annie Stuedemann, Fr. Winona State

At Large Lyndi Decker, Sr. Minnesota State

At Large Mallory Michel, Sr. Minnesota State

Most Outstanding Player Miranda Campbell, So., Third Base, Emporia State

NOTES:

This was the fourth straight year ESU has played in the regional championship game.

Sheeley threw all 26.0 innings for ESU during the regional.

Sheeley is now fifth in single season strikeouts at ESU with 298 on the season and third in single season wins with 28 victories.

Campbell?s 17 home runs are the second most in a season at ESU behind Megan Davison?s 23 in 2006.

Travel arrangements and game times will be available later on Sunday evening.