Curtis Meyer reporter
The Gorillas hit a bit of a low point a couple weeks ago, losing back-to-back one score games against #3 ranked Rogers State. Despite the disappointing pair of losses, the Gorillas were able to respond this past week, as they rattled off four straight wins at home.
Pitt State now sits at 32-4, good for #11 in the NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll and tied with #1 North Georgia for the best record in Division II softball. It’s been a dominant season for the Gorillas, and that was true this past week as three of the four games were run rule victories.
“Last week was awesome. It was a great bounce back for our team after two tough losses, getting back in the groove, making adjustments. Just getting our minds right and ready for the next games,” said sophomore Heather Arnett.
Starting on Friday, the Gorillas had a double header against the Nebraska Kearney Lopers. Game one was no trouble for the Gorillas, as they cruised to a 12-4 run rule victory, as it ended in the fifth inning. The game started out competitive, as the Lopers scored four runs in the first inning, but the Gorillas matched that total in the bottom of the first, then continued to pile on runs as the Lopers came up short.
Senior Maddie Fernadez led the charge, going 2-2 with four RBI, 2 runs scored, and her eighth home run of the season. Senior Paxtyn Hayes had three RBI with two runs scored, while grad student Hannah Burnett had three runs scored and hit her fourth homer of the season. Arnett scored three runs in the win, while freshmen Ava Laurent picked up her 11th win of the season, not allowing a single hit after the first inning.
The second game was much the same, as Pitt State picked up a 10-2 win, ending the game in the sixth on the run rule. The Gorillas broke open the game in the fifth inning, scoring four runs to turn a 2-1 lead into a 6-1 lead. The rout was completed the next inning, when the Gorillas scored four more runs to put the game out of reach.
Hayes provided the spark, going 3-4 with three RBI and one run scored. Junior Emily Ades and junior Amaya Snyder each had two RBI, as Snyder hit her first home run of the season. Senior Kiana Pogroszewki picked up her tenth win of the season, with three strikeouts in six innings of work.
Following the impressive pair of wins, the Gorillas hosted the Fort Hays State Tigers. The momentum kept churning with an 8-0 win. With the score sitting at 0-0 through the first four innings, Pitt State got on the board with a run in the fifth, before exploding for seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to run away with the win over the Tigers.
Snyder provided the first spark of offense, with a solo home run, while Arnett, Hayes and senior Gabby Schultz each picked up two RBI in the sixth. Laurent pitched her 12th win of the season, giving up just two hits and a walk through six scoreless innings.
Game two was a much closer affair, but the Gorillas still controlled the game. The Tigers scored a run in the top of the first, but Pitt State immediately tied in the bottom. With a run in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, the Gorillas took home the 4-1 win.
Fernandez went 3-3 with two RBI and one run scored, while Pogroszewki picked up another win with one unearned run. Junior Chelsea Beville picked up her second save of the season after coming in for the final inning.
Pitt State will face rival Missouri Southern in a back-to-back game at home on Saturday.
“Missouri Southern is a rival for us, those are big games each year in every sport that we play. Coming out on top for our team would just be a great win, they are going to play us tough, and we’ll play them tough,” said Arnett.