EMPORIA, Kan. — The Pittsburg State University softball team split a pair of games against Emporia State University in the MIAA opening action for both squads Friday (Mar. 6) at Turnbull Field/Trussler Sports Complex.

The Gorillas opened the day by blanking the Lady Hornets, 4-0, in game one, but ESU countered with a 7-6 nine-inning victory over Pitt State in the nightcap. The split leaves the Gorillas at 10-16 overall and 1-1 in MIAA play heading into a Saturday (Mar. 7) twinbill at Topeka against Washburn University. The Lady Hornets are now 13-8 overall and 1-1 in the MIAA.

Kaylee Burnett (5-6) posted her third shutout of the season in the opener, limiting ESU to four hits in the contest. She issued two walks and registered three strikeouts in the contest.

The Gorillas took an early 1-0 lead on Mareika Turpen's second inning home run and Pitt State tacked on three insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning to help seal the win. Madison Szymanksi, Kaity Kukowski and Kylee Bohle all had run scoring hits in the seventh.

In game two, the Lady Hornets plated a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to erase a 6-5 deficit before winning the game in the ninth.

Makenzie Goswick, Makayla Lamphier and Kianna Pellegrino all belted home runs in the contest.