DENTON, Texas – The third-ranked Emporia State Hornets scored once in each of the first two innings, then withstood a sixth inning challenge to defeat the Midwestern State University Mustangs 2-1 in the championship game of the Texas Woman's University Softball Tournament Sunday afternoon at Pioneer Field.

MSU (6-4) could only muster four hits against No. 3 ESU (3-2) in the title game.

MSU freshman pitcher Katie Petersen scattered six hits with six strikeouts, but allowed two runs, one earned as her record fell to 4-4 on the season.

Jessica Rodriguez had the big bat for the Mustangs, accounting for two of MSU's four hits by going 2-for-3 including a double.

Emporia State's Courtney Reed got the win with 10 strikeouts and two walks to go with the four MSU hits.

Emporia got on the board first when leadoff batter Chelsea McClerndon struckout, but a passed ball by MSU catcher Lindsey Voigt allowed McClerndon to reach first.  After a bunt single advanced her to second, McClerndon scored the unearned run on a single to centerfield by Megan Davison.

In the second, ESU added its other run after a two out bunt single by Laura Pfautsch, who then stole second.  McClerndon doubled Pfautsch in for the 2-0 lead.

MSU broke up the one-hitter in the fifth when Rodriguez smacked a two-out double to right center and third baseman Kristen Stonecipher followed with an RBI single.  Stonecipher stole second but was stranded on Voigt's groundout.

In the seventh, the Mustangs threatened to tie the contest.

MSU's Tara Staten laced a one-out double to left center and advanced to third on Amanda Hill's ground out.  But Petersen struckout to end the game.

MSU returns to action in Stephenville on Tuesday, facing Tarleton State in a doubleheader that starts at 1 p.m.

The Mustangs play in Wichita Falls for the first time this coming weekend when they host the Mustangs Invitational, a six-team tournament at the Wichita Falls Softball Complex on Sheppard Access Road on Friday and Saturday.