Box Score
Postgame Press Conference

Fort Hays State fought back to tie Emporia State three times before taking a 5-3 lead on a Danie Brinkmann two-out, two-RBI bases loaded single in the bottom of the sixth. The margin held up as Maddie Holub retired the side in the seventh for Fort Hays State's first-ever NCAA Tournament win. Tenth-ranked Fort Hays State moved to 46-10 overall on the season with the win on Friday (May 10) in the opening round of the NCAA Central Regional 1.

Emporia State took an early 1-0 lead in the first on a Cacy Williams RBI single that just tipped off the edge of Amanda Vaupel's glove on a diving attempt, scoring a run from second. The Tigers got the run right back in the first when Paxton Duran drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Hornets regained the lead in the top of the second, taking advantage of a passed ball and wild pitch to score another run. However the Tigers fought to knot the score again in the third with a two-out RBI single up the middle by Tori Beltz to plate  Brinkmann from second.

Emporia State jumped ahead for the third time in the game in the fifth when Andrea Piezuch delivered a RBI single to right center field to score Amanda Self, who had a one-out single and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

Fort Hays State pulled back even once again in the bottom of the fifth when Duran delivered a RBI single to right center field just over the head of diving second baseman Taylor Reichard, once again with two outs.

Fort Hays State finally broke through in the sixth as the Tigers loaded the bases with three walks. The Hornets intentionally walked Maddie Holub to get to Danie Brinkmann with two outs, but Brinkmann was up to the challenge as she lined a two-RBI single to left scoring two.

Maddie Holub moved to 28-2 on the season with the win. She allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Karley Schmelzer, the NCAA Division II leader in wins, took the loss, going to 31-10 overall. She allowed eight hits and walked six with seven strikeouts. All five runs she allowed were earned.

Fort Hays State advances to meet Central Oklahoma in the winner's bracket at 1 pm on Saturday. The winner of that game moves to Sunday's championship, while the loser will move to the 6 pm elimination game on Saturday.