PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University softball team split a pair of games Sunday (March 7) in day two action of the Pitt State Classic. The Gorillas dropped a 9-2 decision to Minnesota Duluth before bouncing back with a 3-1 victory over Rockhurst.
 
In game one, the Gorillas struggled early notching one hit in the first three innings. The Bulldogs got off to a hot start scoring three runs on four hits over that span. UMD continued its offensive attack en route to the 9-2 win.
 
Kami Zimmerman notched two singles and a RBI in the loss. Kaity Kukowski added a double in the fourth as well.
 
The Gorillas bounced back in game two of the day and picked up their first home victory of the season by beating the Hawks. Keelah Griffith got the Gorillas going in the second inning with a two-run home run over the center field fence. Madison Szymanski followed in Griffith's steps and smacked a solo shot to center field in the fourth frame to give the game its final margin, 3-1.
 
Kukowski and Paxton Hayes recorded two hits a piece in the contest. Kaylee Burns racked up her first win of the season by limiting RU to four hits in the game.
 
The Gorillas will be back in action Tuesday (Mar. 9) when they travel to Springfield, Mo., to take on Drury.