The Collegio Pittsburg's student voice since 1916
Related Articles
The softball team stayed home this past weekend for doubleheaders.
The Gorillas lost both games against Rogers State (0-9, 3-4) on Friday, April 9. On Saturday, April 10, the Gorillas managed to come back from their losses and defeat Northeastern State (7-4) but couldn’t keep the momentum going and lost game two (7-9).
“(It) wasn’t the win/loss record that we wanted but our team fought really, really hard,” said Head Coach Ashley Balazs. “Just one hit, one out away from a couple victories and just hoping to turn the tide this weekend.”
Madison Syzmanski, junior in criminal justice, was happy to see the team press on and keep fighting during the games.
“I think that we fought pretty hard,” Syzmanski said. “We had some good defense… (and our) bats were hot. The results didn’t turn out the way we wanted them to, but we came out fighting.”
Keelah Griffith, sophomore in recreation and sports management, also believes that the team is doing some good things.
“As a team, we worked together to create momentum,” Griffith said. “We fell short and needed stronger communication for a better finish. Overall, we have a lot of good things raising with us.”
Against Rogers State, Kaylee Burns was credited with the loss of game one. In game two, the Gorillas took an early 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second. They tacked on another run in the third with a single by Kylee Bohle. Rogers State tied the game 3-3 in the fifth and went on to score the winning run in the top of the seventh to finish the game. Taylor Compton was credited with the loss.
In game one against Northeastern State, the Gorillas only made two hits in the first four innings, while Northeastern plated two runs. Northeastern State plated two in the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, the Gorillas had the bases loaded and Keelah Griffith smacked a grand slam to tie the game. The Gorillas plated three more runs in the sixth. The Gorillas continued on to win the game. Burns was credited with the win.
In game two, Northeastern State took an early 9-2 lead. Griffith again blasted a grand slam to put the Gorillas 7-9. Northeastern State managed to hold the Gorillas and took the game. Maddison Morris was credited with the loss for the Gorillas.
“My teammate Keelah Griffith smacked… (two) grand slams which really gave us the momentum that we needed,” Syzmanski said. “All of our bats were hot this past weekend too.”
According to Griffith, the team all worked together.
“It was definitely a team effort,” Griffith said. “We had players getting on base and teammates moving them around. Our middles were able to work through some double plays which is awesome to watch.”
The softball team is now 13-21 overall and 7-9 in conference play.
“I’m proud of this team, we’ve come a long way,” Syzmanski said. “We’ve stuck together though all of the ups… (and) downs this season.”
The team has an upcoming doubleheader against Central Missouri on Saturday, April 17 followed by a doubleheader against Lincoln on Sunday, April 18.
“(I want to see the team) just to go out and compete from the first pitch,” Balazs said. “I think If we do that, we’ll have some success this weekend.”
