EMPORIA, Kan. -- The Pitt State softball team (18-10, 7-1 MIAA) lost its first conference game to No. 11 Emporia State (24-8, 7-1 MIAA), 12-4 in six innings, but rebounded to hand the Lady Hornets their first league loss of the season, 9-2, in game two.
In the second game win, the Gorillas scored nine runs on 12 hits and two Emporia State errors, while the Lady Hornets scored two runs on six hits. It was almost opposite of the first game that saw Pitt State score four runs on only three hits and three Emporia State errors, while ESU put together 12 runs on 16 hits and two Pitt State errors.
In the second game, four different Gorilla players had multiple hits, lead by Cheslyn Mitchell with a 3-for-4 game that included three runs scored, a double and two RBI. Nicole Nease went 2-for-3 with a run, two walks and two RBI. Ashton Pratt and Kylie Guthier were each 2-for-4. Guthier hit a double and recorded an RBI. Pratt scored three runs.
Pitt State scored first in both games. In game two, Pratt ledase off with a base hit. She moved to second on a Katy Remy sacrifice. Mitchell's double brough her home for the first run. Nease walked and Alex Perez used a two out double down the right field line to score Mitchell for a 2-0 lead.
Emporia State tied the game in the bottom of the inning with a two-run home run by Caitlin VanVleck. It would tie the game at 2-2, but those were the only runs for the Lady Hornets in the game.
The score stayed knotted at 2-2 until the top of the fifth. Mitchell led off the inning with a base hit, but advanced to second on an error by the ESU left fielder. She moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Guthier ground out to give the Gorillas a one-run advantage.
A productive sixth inning, gave Pitt State an 8-2 lead. All of the Gorillas' runs were scored with two outs in the inning. McCreath led off beating out an infield base hit to third. With two outs, Pratt added another infield base hit. A Remy base hit to left scored McCreath. Mitchell drew a walk to load the bases for Nease. Nease ripped a base hit through the right side to bring home Pratt and Remy. Guthier added another base hit to right ro score Nease. Perez reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Guthier to come home.
Pitt State's final run came as Pratt scored on a Mitchel RBI base hit in the top of the seventh for a 9-2 win.
Pratt drew a walk to lead off game one. Mitchell reached on a fielder's choice and Pratt was safe at second on a throwing error by the Hornet pitcher. Both runners advanced on a Nease sacrifice. Pratt scored the first run of the game on a Guthier ground out.
Emporia State answered to go up 2-1 with a two run home run by Brenda Novelo in the bottom of the second.
Two two out base hits and a three run home run by Kaitlyn Caston in the bottom of the third gave the Lady Hornets a 5-1 advantage and sent Pitt State starting pitcher Emmie Robertson out of the game. Lynsey Conner replaced Robertson in the circle, but the Emporia State hitting continued as four consecutive base hits brought home two more runs.
The Gorilla offense could have given up, but they fought for three more runs in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back Emporia State errors put Nease and Guthier on base and scored Nease. Rynard walked. With one out, Guthier scored on a McCreath base hit to center and a Catie Cummins sacrifice fly brought home Rynard to make the score 7-4.
Pitt State got its first three runners of the fifth inning one base, but were not able to score a run.
The bottom of the sixth saw the home team plate five more runs on four hits and an error to end the game 12-4 by the eight-run rule.
Robertson got the decision in both games, moving her record to 11-5 on the season. She pitched 2.2 innings in game one, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits, to take the loss. She came in after one batter in game two. After the home run, she scattered only four more hits in the game. She struck out five batters in the second game and did not give up a walk in either game.
Conner pitcher 2.2 innings of relief in the first game, giving up seven runs on 10 hits. She walked two and struck out one.
The Gorillas travel to Topeka, Kan. to face Washburn at 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday (March 28). The Ichabods are 18-11 overall and 6-4 in MIAA play. They split a doubleheader with Missouri Southern on Friday.
