PITTSBURG -- The Pitt State softball team split the second double header with Upper Iowa on a rainy Sunday (Feb. 26) at the PSU Softball Complex. Pitt State won the fist game, 2-0, before falling in the second, 8-5.
Pitt State scored its two runs on six hits and an error, while Upper Iowa had five hits.
Both of the Gorillas' runs came in the fourth inning. With two outs, Jenna Bolton hit a base hit own the left field line. Katy Remy hit her first home run of the season out in left field for the 2-0 lead.
Gorilla pitcher Emmie Robertson pitched the complete game. She struck out nine batters and walked only one.
Pitt State had 10 hits in game two, but were only able to plate five runs. The Peacocks scored eight runs on 10 hits and three Gorilla errors.
The Gorillas took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. With runners on first and second, Kala Holder hit a two-out base hit to center for the lead.
Neither team scored again until the top of the third, when Upper Iowa used a home run and two base hits to take a 2-1 lead.
PSU took the lead back with two runs of its own in the bottom of the third. Kylie Guthier started the innings with a base hit to left. Holder followed with a double to the center field wall. With two outs, Remy dropped a double in right to bring home both runners for the 3-2 lead.
Pitt State's scoring would stop there, while Upper Iowa added two runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and one in the seven to go up 8-3 heading into the final half inning.
In the bottom of the seven, Nicole Nease started a rally with a double to center. Alicia Lowrey knocked a pinch hit single up the middle and advanced on an error by the Peacock centerfielder that allowed Nease to score. Holder added yet another hit that advanced Lowrey to third. Kylie DeClue stepped in to pinch hit and reached on a fielder's choice that put Holder out, but allowed Lowrey to score what ended up being the final run of the game.
Bree Cornett started the game in the circle for the Gorillas and pitched 4.1 innings in the loss. She gave up six runs, five earned, on eight hits. Robertson threw the final 2.2 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits.
Upper Iowa reliever Emily Kisch earned the win. She came in in relief of starter Courtney Clayberg in the fourth.
Pitt State will have almost two weeks off before beginning MIAA play at Emporia State at Washburn on March 10 and 11.
