The Collegio Pittsburg's student voice since 1916
Curtis Meyer reporter
The Gorillas had their most recent winning streak ended this weekend at 11 games, as they took three of four over the weekend. The #9 Gorillas now sit at 45-5, 19-3 in conference play, tying them with the school record for most conference wins in a season.
Pitt State began the week on the road, facing the Northwest Missouri Bearcats in a Friday doubleheader. Pitt State took the first game of the series, a 3-0 shutout victory by the Gorillas. With runs in the third, fourth, and sixth, Pitt State was able to take the win.
Freshman Ava Laurent pitched for the Gorillas, earning herself the shutout win. Senior Gabby Schultz led the offense, going two for three at bat with two RBI, while graduate student Hannah Burnett added the final RBI for the Gorillas.
The following game, the script was flipped as the Gorillas fell 5-0 to the Bearcats. Pitt State was held to just two hits and one walk, while the Bearcats led early thanks to a five run second inning. Sophomore Heather Arnett and Burnett each collected the only hits by the Gorillas.
Pitt State then traveled on Saturday, facing the Missouri Western Griffons on the road. Pitt State took the first game in thrilling fashion, mounting a come from behind 10-9 victory in eight innings on the Griffons senior day. Both teams were tied going into the sixth, but a four-run inning by the Griffons gave them the lead. Pitt State tied it back again in the seventh, before scoring the go ahead run in the eighth.
Senior Maddie Fernandez went three of four with four RBI, including her tenth home run of the season to score the Gorillas final run of the game. Senior Paxtyn Hayes was two of five, scoring two RBI while Burnett led the team with three runs scored. Junior Chelsea Beville earned the win on the mound, striking out four in 3 innings of work.
The second game of the afternoon saw the Gorillas claiming the lead early and holding on late for the eventual 6-4 win. Pitt State got on the board first, scoring a run in the first and the second innings, before gaining three in the fourth. The Griffons found three in the bottom of the same inning, but the Gorillas scored one in the fifth and held off a late attempt in the seventh inning by the Griffons.
Burnett led the team with two RBI, while Arnett broke the season runs scored record for Pitt State and broke the career record for stolen bases at Pitt State. Senior Kiana Pogroszewski pitched the win for Pitt State, gaining her 15th win of the season. Beville earned her third save of the season, striking out two in her lone inning of work.
Pitt State will take the field again Wednesday when they host the Newman Jets for a doubleheader. The Gorillas will then host the #5 Central Oklahoma Bronchos on a Saturday double header for their last games before the MIAA tournament.