PITTSBURG, Kan. -- The sixth inning proved to be crucial in both games, as the Pittsburg State softball team came from behind to win 5-2 and 5-3 at the PSU Softball Complex on Tuesday (April 7) evening.
The Gorillas were trailing in both games, 2-0 in game one, and 3-0 in game two, before big five run sixth innings led to wins for the home team in their first time home in 26 games.
Down 2-0 in game one, Devon McCreath started the sixth with a base hit to right. Cummins reached on a fielder's choice and a error on the Jets left McCreath safe at second. Bradshaw used a base hit deep in the left side of the infield to load the bases. Ashton Pratt grounded out, but earned an RBI as McCreath came home for the first Gorilla run of the game. Katy Remy added another base hit to bring home Cummins to tie the game.
Nicole Nease reached on a fielder's choice that put Bradshaw out at third, but was only the second out of the inning and still left two runners on. Kylie Guthier stepped up to the plate and hit her eighth home run of the year, a three-run shot for the 5-2 win.
Game two was set up much the same way, except this time the Gorillas were down by one more run, 3-0. In game two, Pitt State started with the top of its order up. Pratt led off by beating out and infield base hit. Remy was hit by a pitch. One swing from Nease tied the game at 3-3 as she hit a three-run line drive over the left field fence for her ninth home run of the season.
Guthier kept the inning going as she reached on a Newman error. Darion Jaso came in to pinch run for her at first. An Alex Perez double put Gorillas at second and third with no outs and forced a Newman pitching change.
Lawren McKinney knocked a sacrifice fly to left to score Jaso for the lead, giving her the eventual game-winning RBI. Avery Beard kept the inning going with another infield base hit. After the second out of the inning, Bradshaw beat out another base hit and Perez came around to score on the throw with some heads up base running for the final run of the inning.
Emmie Robertson earned the win in game one. She struck out 12 batters, while walking two. Only one of the two runs she gave up was earned.
Lynsey Conner earned her second win of the season in game two. She pitched 6.0 innings and gave up only three hits and one earned run. Robertson came in to close the game in the seventh inning to earn the save, her first of the season.
Pitt State returns to conference play on Friday (April 10) with a doubleheader against Northwest Missouri at 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday brings Missouri Western to town for a 2 and 4 p.m. doubleheader. Saturday is Family Day at Pittsburg State Athletics venues, with track & field, baseball and softball all going on. There will be inflatable and face painting set up at the Bicknell Sports Complex and all concession stands will have a Family Day meal deal of a hot dogs, chips and a drink for $5.
