HAYS, Kan. -- The Pittsburg State softball team improved to 6-0 in MIAA play and 12-4 overall with a doubleheader sweep on the road over the Fort Hays State Tigers on Saturday (March 14). The Gorillas won game one 10-2 in 8 innings, and took care of business in game two with a 7-2 win in regulation.
Kylie Guthier had a big game in game one as she led five Gorillas with two or more hits in the game with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate. She scored one run and had four RBI , a double and a home run. Ashton Pratt and Nicole Nease were each 2-for-4. Pratt added a run, two walks and two stolen bases, while Nease had a home run, two runs, an RBI and a walk. Cheslyn Mitchell and Alex Perez were each 2-for-5. Mitchell scored a run and had two RBI. Perez added a double and a run. The Gorillas totalled 15 hits in game one.
Pitt State scored first in the top of the third. Pratt drew a lead off walk to start the inning. She stole second and scored on a Mitchell base hit up the middle.
The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the same inning, as Amanda Vaupel was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
A lead off homer from Nease in the top of the fifth gave the Gorillas a 2-1 lead.
Fort Hays State tied the game again in the top of the seventh. A base hit, a walk and a hit batter loaded the bases with two outs. Paxton Duran earned an RBI with a hit that Pitt State short stop Jordan Bradshaw kept in the infield to prevent to go ahead run from scoring. The next batter grounded out to first to send the game into extra innings.
The Pitt State bats set to work in the top of the eighth, producing an eight run inning off six hits and three Tiger errors. Devon McCreath reached on an error, but was thrown out at second on a fielder's choice that left Bradshaw safe at first. With two outs, Lawren McKinney reached on another FHSU error. Mitchell scored Bradshaw with a base hit through the left side for what would be the game-winning run. Nease walked to load the bases again. Guthier stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam to give the Gorillas a 7-2 lead. McKenzie Rynard continued the Gorilla rally with a base hit to left. Perez added yet another base hit. Rynard scored on a third consecutive Gorilla base hit, this one by McCreath. Bradshaw reached on an error that allowed the final two runs of the game to score for a 10-2 lead.
Fort Hays State got two runners on with two outs in the eighth, and one got as far a third, but Pitt State got the final out to end the game.
Emmie Robertson pitched the complete game for the Gorillas. She gave up only two runs on seven hits. She struck out eight batters, walked five and hit three Tiger batters. She is now 7-2 on the season.
Guthier added a 3-for-4 performance in game two. Pratt was 2-for-4 again with two runs, a walk and a stolen base. McCreath was also 2-for-4. Only one of Pitt State's 13 hits in the game was for extra bases.
Pratt led off the game with an infield base hit. She stole second. McKinney reached on an error by the Tiger right fielder that allowed Pratt to score. With one out, Nease reached on another hour that allowed McKinney to score. Guthier moved Nease to third with a base hit. Nease scored on a Rynard sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.
The Gorillas added three more runs in the top of the third. McKinney led off with a base hit and advanced to second on an error. Mitchell hit her home with a double. Four consecutive base hits by Nease, Guthier, Rynard and Perez brought home two more runs for a 6-0 lead.
The Tigers closed the lead slightly in the bottom of the third with two runs on four hits.
Pitt State scored the final run of the game in the top of the fourth as Pratt came home on a Guthier base hit to left.
Zoe Price moved to 5-1 on the season in the circle with the win. She gave up two runs on five hits. She did not walk anyone and struck out three Tigers.
Pitt State travels to Rogers State on Tuesday before playing in the NSIC/MIAA Crossover in St. Joseph, Mo. on the weekend.
