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Another week, another tournament sweep for the Gorillas softball team, as they improved to 17-0 this past weekend, including two wins over a ranked opponent. Pitt State has already made history this season, and that improves this week as they competed in the MIAA GLVC Crossover.
“We had our first home games and we played well. It really hasn’t been something our girls have been focused on, in terms of what our record is, where we are currently at. It’s really about who we are playing right now,” head coach Josh Barnes said.
The tournament kicked off for the Gorillas on Saturday as they faced the University of St. Louis – Missouri in back-to-back games. The first game was a blowout for the Gorillas, as they dominated the Tritons 23-0. The win was tied for second most points in a game by the Gorillas all time.
In the circle, junior Ava Laurent (5-0) struck out six Tritons in 3.0 innings with redshirt sophomore Erica Schertz throwing the final 2.0 for Pittsburg State. Senior Lexi Davis finished with five RBI and was one of eight members of the team to score more than once in the game. Senior Heather Arnett, senior Alleyna Rushing and junior Taylor Lundien all finished with four runs scored in the game.
Game two would be a much closer affair for the Gorillas, as they managed to win 4-3. Pitt State got off to an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning, but the Tritons would take back the lead with three runs in the fifth. Down 3-1 with just two innings left, Pitt State came up big, scoring three runs in the sixth to take the lead and the eventual win.
Davis played hero with her first career home run as a Gorilla in the sixth inning. Junior Emma Crabb (5-0) picked up the win in the circle with two strikeouts in 2.0 innings of relief for senior Sailor Hall who struck out three in 5.0 innings of work.
The Gorillas then turned their attention to #24 ranked McKendree State, their first ranked opponent this year. Pitt State dominated in the first game, winning 10-2 in just five innings. Pitt State would take the lead early, before a six-run fourth inning solidified their win.
Davis finished going 2-for-2 with a pair of runs driven in from a triple in the third inning. Junior Bailey Haselhorst led the team with three RBI from a double to left center in the fourth that enacted the run rule the next inning. Laurent (6-0) picked up the complete game win and struck out three Bearcats.
The second game of the day was a bit closer, but Pitt State still came away with a 6-2 win over the Bearcats. Pitt State built a 4-0 lead going into the sixth inning, before the Bearcats finally found the board with two runs. Pitt State answered in the bottom of the same inning with two runs of their own, before shutting them out in the top of the seventh to secure the win.
Pitt State was led by graduate student Kadyn Trochim with three runs driven in as Arnett went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and drove in one run. Sophomore Lexi Franklin (4-0) pitched 6.0 innings with five strikeouts while Crabb finished the game with a shutout seventh inning.
“We are just trying to do what we need to do to win each game, and it really doesn’t matter who we are facing, whether they are ranked team or haven’t lost a game,” Coach Barnes said.
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