Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University softball team opened MIAA play Friday (Mar. 9) with a doubleheader split against Emporia State University.
 
The visiting Hornets blanked the Gorillas, 8-0, in five innings in game one, but the Gorillas bounced back with an 11-9 victory in the nightcap.
 
Pitt State (9-15, 1-1 MIAA) built an 11-5 lead in game two then survived a four-run top of the seventh from Emporia State (8-13, 1-3 MIAA) to pull out the win.
 
Kala Holder paced the Gorillas' 12-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Mike Hayward belted a two-run home run, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
 
Emily Clark and Kristan Van Hoosen also belted home runs for Pitt State in the contest.
 
Brooklynne Simbeck (5-6) earned the win. She allowed one earned run in 2 1/3 innings of relief work. Bree Cornett, who started the contest, returned to record the final two outs and register her first save of the season.
 
The Hornets Montana Mesler (3-6) and Mackenzie Thornton combined on a seven-hit shutout of the Gorillas in the opener. Pitt State stranded six base runners in the contest.
 
The Gorillas will return to action with a 2 p.m. doubleheader Saturday against MIAA rival Washburn University.