ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Pitt State Softball team added two more wins, 1-0 over Minnesota State-Mankato and 4-1 over Augustana, in the final day of the Hy-Vee Invitational to finish the tournament 5-1. The team is now 22-8 on the season.
The game against Mankato was a pitchers dual. Pitt State had three hits, while the Mavericks had only two. each team had an error. The Gorillas also added base runners on four walks and two hit batters from MSU pitcher Coley Ries.
Two of Pitt State's three hits came in the top of the seventh, as did the only run of the game. Kris Van Hoosen led off the inning with a triple. After one out and a walk, a Jenna Bolton RBI base hit brought her home for the win.
The Gorilla offense was a little more successful in the game against Augustana. The team put up four runs on six hits and two errors. The Vikings scored only one run on four hits and one Gorilla error.
Pitt State put up the first two runs in the bottom of the second. Lawren McKinney led off with a base hit. She scored on a one-out triple by Katy Remy. Remy was able to score on the next at bat as Kylie DeClue hit her first collegiate triple.
The final two Gorilla runs of the weekend came in the fifth inning. Kala Holder drew a lead off walk. Myka Hayward reached on a fielder's choice, but an error left Holder safe at third. With runners at first and third, Sierra Hall came in to pinch run for Hayward and immediately stole second. McKinney got her second hit of the game, a two RBI double to make the score 4-0.
Augustana scored its only run on two hits and an error in the top of the seventh.
Emmie Robertson pitched two complete games for the Gorillas to improve her record to 15-3 on the season. She gave up only one run, which was unearned. She struck out a total of 10 batters, six against the Mavericks and four against the Vikings. She walked one in each game.
The Gorillas will play four games against Missouri Southern this week. On Friday (March 24) the team will travel to Joplin for a conference doubleheader with the Lions. On Saturday (March 25), the Lions will come to Pittsburg for a non-conference doubleheader at 2 p.m.
