BACK AGAIN
Emporia State is back in the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament for the second time in three years. The Hornets have made the NCAA North Central Regional in each of the last five years.
LAST AT BAT
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 Championship Game on Sunday. Campbell, the tourney's Most Outstanding Player, had six RBI in the game and her fourth inning grand slam closed the door on any Warrior comeback. After giving up a run in the second, Samantha Sheeley retired the final 11 batters she faced.
THE COACHES
Kristi Bredbenner is 156-34 in her third year at Emporia State and 187-90 in four years as a head coach. She has been named MIAA Coach of the Year twice in three seasons at ESU and her staff was named the 2006 NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year. She has led the Hornets to the regional championship game in every season as head coach. In 2006 she led the squad to the National Championship game, where they finished as national runners-up. She’s led the Hornets to three MIAA titles as head coach and three straight conference tournament crowns.
Jamie Apicella is 391-148 in his tenth year at CW Post.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
C.W. Post is 48-14 on the year, is ranked #9 in the nation and are the champions of the Northeast Region. The Pioneers are making their second straight trip to the championship finals tournament. They went undefeated through the regional taking the title with a 9-2 win over New Haven. Melissa Medina leads the Pioneer offense from her lead-off spot. The sophomore is batting .428 with 36 stolen bases on the year. Samantha Yodowitz is 30-6 with a 1.59 ERA in the circle. The 2007 All-American has struck out 185 with just 33 walks on the year.