EMPORIA, Kan. -- Kyla Larson homered and drove in four runs and Minot State rallied from a 9-2 deficit to defeat Central Oklahoma 10-9 and gain a split of its two games on the opening day of the Emporia State Tournament.

The Beavers opened the the tournament by scoring eight runs over the final two innings to post a 10-9 win and then dropped a 10-1 decision to Northeastern State in the second game of the day.

After falling behind Central Oklahoma 1-0, Minot State tied the game at 1-1 when Ashley Hill belted her first home run of the season in the top of the second inning.

The Beavers took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning when Isis Cabral homered with two outs.

Central Oklahoma then took a seemingly safe 9-2 lead by scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning and five times in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Beavers got back into the game in the top of the sixth inning by scoring four runs to trim the lead to 9-6.

Tori Zimmermann hit an RBI single that scored Lauren Cowden and Larson ripped a three-run homer that plated Cabral and pinch-runner Melissa Estrada ahead of her.

The Beavers then capped the comeback by scoring four times in the top of the seventh inning.

With one out, Minot State loaded the bases on a walk and two Central Oklahoma errors. Zimmermann and Hill hit back-to-back RBI singles to cut the lead to 9-8 and the Beavers tied the game at 9-9 when Larson drew a bases-loaded walk.

Minot State pushed across the winning run on a fielder's choice where pinch-runner Amanda Izzo scored from second base.

Kylie Patrick then nailed down the win for the Beavers by pitching out of trouble. With runners on second and third, Patrick induced a line out to centerfield to end the game.

Minot State will face Pittsburg State and Emporia State on Saturday (March 17) in the second day of action.