The Emporia State softball team fell twice to #7 Pittsburg State at the Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia on Friday.
The Gorillas applied constant pressure on the way to a 5-3 win over the Lady Hornets in game one. The Gorillas picked up two quick runs in the first inning and led 3-0 before Ally Miller picked up the Black & Gold with a two-run homer in the fourth. ESU gave up a run on a fielder’s choice in the sixth but got it right back in the bottom of the inning on an Addison Callaway single. The Gorillas homered in the seventh for insurance before ESU got the leadoff runner aboard in the seventh with a pinch hit but promptly lined into a double play. Hannah Butterbaugh (9-3) lasted 6.0 innings but gave up 12 hits in the loss.
Pitt State blew open a close game late in a 9-2 win over the Lady Hornets to sweep the doubleheader. Pitt State scored single runs in the third and fourth but then scored three in the fifth and four in the sixth. A Brooke Flewelling triple in the fifth provided the only offense for E-State. Megan Tomlinson (5-2) pitched 5.0 innings for the Black & Gold and gave up five runs but just one was earned as the Lady Hornets committed three errors. Head coach Megan Hill said she’d like to see her hitters attack pitches early on Saturday.
ESU (19-10, 5-3 MIAA) returns to action tomorrow to host #11 Missouri Southern. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. with coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Mix 104.9.
