JOPLIN, Mo. -- Defense was the name of the game in a 1-0 game one win for the Gorillas, while the offense came alive in the final inning of game two for a 6-4 win as the Gorillas earned a doubleheader sweep over Missouri Southern on Monday (April 6). The win in the conference doubleheader gives Pitt State the softball point in the State Farm Trophy Series.

The Gorillas are now 25-11 on the season and 14-2 in league play. The Lions fall to 9-27 overall and 4-10 in the MIAA.

The highlight of game one came in the bottom of the fourth. MIssouri Southern had runners at first and second with no outs in the inning. Myranda Stewert hit a ball to Perez at first. She tagged first and threw home to Nease who tagged the runner coming home, then rocketed the ball to Katy Remy at third who tagged that runner and ended the inning with a rare 3-2-5 triple play.

Pitt State scored its only run in the top of the second. Nease drew a lead off walk. Kylie Guthier drove a base hit to left. Perez followed with another walk to load the bases. Devon McCreath drove Nease home with a base hit up the middle.

The Gorillas tallied eight hits in the game, but left 10 runners on base.

The seventh inning was the most important in game two. Pitt Stae was getting outhit by the Lions 8-6 and was trailing by two, 4-2. Nine hole hitter Jordan Bradshaw started the Gorilla comeback with a solid base hit to right. She moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Ashton Pratt beat out an infield base hit and advanced Bradshaw to third. Remy came up with a big double to score Bradshaw,
leaving herself and Pratt at second and third. Cheslyn Mitchell drew a walk to load the bases. Nease tied the game as she drove a base hit to left to score Pratt. Guthier brought home the go ahead run with a single up the middle. The final run came as Mitchell scored as Missouri Southern pulled off a double play on a Perez pop up.

Emmie Robertson earned both wins in the pitching circle. She pitched the complete game in game one, scattering four hits through the game. She struck out six batters and walked none. She came in in the fourth inning of game two . She again allowed only four hits. She gave up one run, which was not earned. She struck out another six batters. Her record now improves to 17-5 on the season.

The Gorillas will take the field at home for the first time in 26 games tomorrow (Tuesday, April 7) at 3 and 5 p.m. against Newman.