BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Pinch runner Kianna Pellegrino scored the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning on Kami Zimmerman's sacrifice fly and the Pittsburg State University softball team defeated William Jewell College, 4-3, Friday (Feb. 11) at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic hosted by the University of Arkansas-Monticello.

The Gorillas (3-0) jumped out to a 3-0 lead but then had to hold off the Cardinals down the stretch. Haidyn Berry led off the top half of the ninth frame with a pinch hit double. Pellegrino came in to run for Berry and advanced to third base on a wild pitch to set up Zimmerman's fly out.

Taylor Compton (1-0) earned the win in relief, limiting WJC to a pair of hits over 4.0 innings of relief work.

Taylor Lambert collected two of Pitt State's nine hits in the contest. 

The Gorillas will return to action with a pair of games Saturday against Quincy University at 11 a.m. and Maryville University at 1 p.m.