CONROE, Texas — The Pittsburg State University softball team opened its 2019 season with a pair of closely contested losses at the Arkansas Tech Winter Invite Friday (Feb. 1).

The Gorillas dropped a 2-5 decision to Texas A&M Kingsville University followed by a 1-4 decision to Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Pitt State (0-2) will face Texas Women's University at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Tarleton State University at 3:30 p.m.

The Javelinas struck first with a run in the second and third inning, before the Gorillas were able to tie the game at 2-2 in the third inning. Both teams were held scoreless until extra innings when TAMUK was able to plate three runs in the eighth inning to take the game.

Kaity Kukowski went 2-for-2 to lead the Gorillas offense, while Brittanee Knepper had a single that led to her scoring on a field error.

In game two, the Savage Storm took the lead early scoring two runs on three hits in the first inning. In the final inning Southeastern extended their lead 4-0 before the Gorillas answered with a single run in the seventh inning.

Kukowski went 2-for-3, while Alicia Lowrey had a run-scoring single to lead the Pitt State offense.