Kendra Gifford went two for three with three runs, three RBI and two home runs to lead Emporia State to a 7-4 win over Incarnate Word on Sunday afternoon in San Antonio, Texas.

ESU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning on Gifford’s two run homer. The Hornets put four runs on the board in the fifth inning with two outs. Gifford was hit by a pitch and Jennifer Heerey walked before Amanda Self hit an RBI double. Back to back walks to Tricia Vogel and Katie Huffman made it 4-0 before Taylor Zordel singled to left center scoring two more togive ESU A 6-0 lead.

Incarnate Word opened the bottom of the fifth with three singles before Lea Padilla cleared the bases with a double. UIW made it 6-4 on an RBI single by Whitney Waltrip before Heerey got a strikeout to end the inning.

Gifford hit a solo homer with two outs in the sixth for an insurance run in the sixth inning.

Heerey gave up two more hits in the sixth but no runs before giving way to Karley Schmelzer to start the seventh. Schmelzer gave up a hit and hit a batter before getting her first save of the season and fifth of her career.

Heerey and Zordel both joined Gifford with two hits. Zordel and Self each had a double.

Heerey struck out nine while giving up four runs on ten hits to improve to 2-0 on the year.

ESU is back in action next weekend when they travel to Durant, Okla. For the Southeastern Shootout hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State.