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PITTSBURG, Kan. -- The Pittsburg State softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Rogers State on Tuesday night at the PSU Softball Complex. Pitt State won game one 9-1 before losing game two 4-3.
Pitt State moves to 19-21 on the season, while Rogers State is 11-25.
The Gorillas out hit the Hillcats 12-3 in game one, as they scored nine runs on 12 hits and two Rogers State errros. The Hillcats used three hits to score their one run. None of Pitt State's hits were for extra bases.
Brenna George led the Gorillas with a perfect 4-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Jordan Bradshaw was 2-for-2 with three runs scored, a walk and an RBI. Cheslyn Mitchell was 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI.
The Hillcats scored first in the top of the second on back-to-back one-out doubles. Pitt State pitcher Kylie Harpst did not give up another hit after that to earn the win and even her record at 6-6 on the season.
Pitt State did not score until the bottom of the third. Jordan Bradshaw led off the inning with a base hit. George followed with another base hit. A third consecutive base hit, this one by Mitchell, loaded the bases for Tiffany Brown. Brown reached and Bradshaw scored on a Hillcat error that left the bases still loaded. McKenzie Rynard reached on a fielder's choice as George was thrown out at home for the first out of the inning. Mitchell scored on a Nicole Nease ground out to put the Gorillas ahead 2-1.
PSU tacked on another run in the fourth. Bradshaw drew a one out walk. She moved into scoring position on a George base hit and to third on a Mitchell ground out. A hillcat wild pitch allowed her to come home for a 3-1 lead.
The Gorillas put together a big fifth inning to end the game by the eight-run rule. Rynard started the inning with a base hit. She was out at second as Nease reached on a fielder's choice. Kylie Guthier was hit by a pitch and Kylie Harspt reached on an error to load the bases. Three consecutive base hits by Devon McCreath, Bradshaw and George scored Nease, Guthier and Harpst. A fourth base hit, this one through the right side by Mitchell scored two more runs. A Brown walkoff, infield base hit scored George for the final run of the game.
The Gorillas scored first in game two as George reached on an error to lead off the game for the Pitt State offense. She stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a Rynard base hit to left.
The Hillcats went up 3-1 in the top of the third as they used the short game to throw off the Gorilla offense with two straight bunts, one for a hit and one reaching on an error and allowing a run to score. The next batter stepped in and belted a two-run double to center for the lead.
Two hits in the fifth scored another Rogers State run for a 4-1 lead.
Pitt State narrowed the deficit to just two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Mitchell started the inning with a baseit up the middle and moved to second on a wild pitch. With one out, Rynard added a base hit to center. A muffed throw to the Hillcats firstbaseman allowed Mitchell to score, make the score, 4-2.
Pitt State had one last opportunity in the bottom of the seventh. Bradshaw legged out a one-out triple down the right field line. She scored on an infield base hit by George. George attempted to steal, but was thrown out for only the third time on the season for the second out of the inning. Mitchell kept the Gorillas alive with a base hit, but Brown flew out to right to end the game in the 4-3 loss.
The Gorillas tallied three more hits than Rogers State, 9-6, but left six runners on base. Mitchell and Rynard led the Gorillas with two hits a piece.
Pitt State continues its home stand on Wednesday (March 9) with a doubleheader against rival Missouri Southern beginning at 4 p.m. It will be a Sonic Trophy Series game and also Girl Scout Day. Area Girl Scouts are invited to the game and will get to play Sonic themed games to win prizes.
