Gorilla Softball played 5 games in the Washburn Invitational Tournament. They played The University of Sioux Falls, Southwest Minnesota State University, St. Cloud State University, Wayne State College, and The University of Minnesota-Crookston.
They started off the tournament slow, playing Sioux Falls on Saturday Feb. 26th. The Gorillas would finish the game scoreless, losing 0-7. After a tough loss in the morning, going into the next game they were ready to bounce back. They started off hot, scoring 4 runs in the first, and 3 in the second right after. They proceeded to score one more apiece in the third and fourth, and the 3 more in the fifth. After having a 12-0 lead after five innings, the game ended. Additionally, Sophomore left-handed pitcher Hannah Harrison put up a no-hitter against the Mustangs.
“It was an amazing experience to throw a no-hitter… but I could not have done it without my teammates, it was a team win and their defense really helped me,” Harrison said.
After that huge win, the Gorillas went into Sunday’s games with confidence. They sadly weren’t able to continue the momentum, taking a loss to the Huskies 6-15. They started off giving up 4 runs in the first but also scoring 2 of their own. They then let up another four to the Huskies in the second. They didn’t back down though, scoring 4 more of their own after not allowing anymore runs. The Huskies would then score 1 more run in the fourth, and then 6 more in the fight. The game ended after 5 innings.
After taking a hard loss in the morning, Pitt was ready to bounce back once again. In their next game against the Wildcats, they started off slow once again, with being tied at 0-0 after two innings. Pitt would then score 2 runs in the third. They would continue to hold the Wildcats to no runs, and the Gorillas scored 4 more in the seventh to hold a big lead, and then held Wayne State completely scoreless, taking the win.
In Monday’s game against the golden eagles, they were ready to finish out the tournament on a good note. They started off holding a 4-0 lead headed into the bottom of the fourth. The Golden Eagles would then score one run to lessen the difference, but after Pitt scored 5 runs in the fifth, the game ended.
“These games went well despite two losses… we played great as a team and had great energy and overall they prepared us for our upcoming tournament in Florida,” Harrison said.
After having a great weekend going 3-2, the Gorillas will travel to Winter Haven, Florida to play in The Spring Games Tournament. They will play Assumption University, Wilmington University, The University of Minnesota Duluth, The University of Charleston, Cedarville University, and Bemidji State University on dates from Thursday Mar. 3rd to Saturday Mar. 5th.