ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Pittsburg State softball team split games against top 25 teams in the opening day of the Apple Market Classic in St. Joseph, Mo. The Gorillas earned a 4-0 non-conference win over No. 11 Emporia State after losing 2-0 to No. 24 Augustana in the first game of the day.

Pitt State got on the board right away in the top of the first against No. 11 Emporia State. Ashton Pratt led off the game with a base hit. Katy Remy reached on a fielder's choice that found both runners safe. Kylie Guthier added a two-out base hit to score Pratt for a 1-0 lead.

Remy and Cheslyn Mitchell led off the fifth with back-to-back doubles. Nicole Nease reached and advanced all the way to third on a Hornet error that allowed Mitchell to score. Nease then came home on a Guthier base hit to put Pitt State up 4-0.
 
Zoe Price was impressive in the circle for the Gorillas. She struck out eight and gave up only four hits in the shut out. She improved to 7-2 on the year.
 
Augustana scored first in the bottom of the second as pitcher Janelle Trautmann hit a leadoff home run.

A Pitt State throwing error proved costly in the bottom of the third. Carley Pickett reached on a leadoff walk. Caitlin Nichol reached on a fielder's choice, but a throwing error attempting to get the lead runner at second left all runners safe. Everyone moved up on a sacrifice bunt and Pickett was able to score on a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 Augustana lead.

The Gorillas' best chance to score came in the top of the sixth. Devon McCreath led off the inning with a base hit. With one out, Pratt added a bunt single and was able to advance on an Augie error, putting Gorilla runners at second and third. The Pitt State threat ended there though, as the next two batters struck out to end the inning.

Emmie Robertson moved to 8-3 on the season with the loss. She struck out six and walked three, while allowing only three hits. Only one of the two runs she gave up was earned. Augustana's Trautmann struck out 10 Gorillas in her 5.2 innings innings of work to earn the win and move her record to 8-1 on the season. Pickett pitched the remaining 1.1 innings, struck out three Pitt State batters and earned her third save of the season.

The Gorillas continue Apple Market Classic play on Saturday (March 21) as they take on Minnesota State-Mankato at noon and No. 14 Winona State at 4 p.m.