PITTSBURG - The Pittsburg State University softball team picked up wins, 25 and 26 on the season on Saturday (Mar. 14) to conclude the MIAA/NSIC Conference Challenge at the Pittsburg State Softball Field.

Pittsburg State (26-1) claimed game one, 5-4 in walk-off fashion before needing nine innings in game two to secure a walk-off 9-5 win over the St. Cloud State University Huskies (18-8).

In game one, the Gorillas were led by Alleyna Rushing who went 3-of-3 with a pair of runs scored. Lexi Davis played hero in the game with a single up the middle in the seventh innings with two outs, that scored Rushing and following a throwing error by the center fielder allowed Kadyn Trochim to score and complete a late inning comeback for Pittsburg State. Emma Crabb (8-0) picked up the win with 3.2 innings of shutout work from the bullpen.

Game two would see the two teams knotted up after the third and fifth innings and go into extras in a 4-4 stalemate. SCSU, got on the board in the eighth inning with a potential half inning ending double play throw going wayward to allow a run to score. In response the Gorillas scored off a Heather Arnett sacrifce fly to left field as Bailey Haselhorst touched home to send the game into a ninth inning. Sailor Hall in the circle shut down the Huskies offense in the ninth with a strikeout sandwiched between groundouts before a grand slam for the Gorillas from Haili Igou with two outs sealed the 9-5 win.

Igou for the game went 3-of-4 with four runs driven in as Arnett and Rushing each scored twice in the game. Hall got the win in the circle, her fifth of the season as Lexi Franklin threw the first seven innings of the game and struck out eight Huskies. 

Up next for Pittsburg State will be the first doubleheaders of the conference slate, as the University of Nebraska - Kearney Lopers will host the Gorillas (Mar. 20) at Dryden Park for a twinbill to begin MIAA action for both teams.