PITTSBURG, Kan. – Minnesota State Moorhead softball ran into a strong 22nd-ranked Pittsburg State outfit on Sunday. The Gorillas bested the Dragons, taking both games of a doubleheader.
Game One
Moorhead would utilize
Loie Moore in the first inning as the freshman made it to third base after being hit by a pitch. However, Moore would be stranded on third with no runs coming across for the Dragons. Pittsburg State would plate four runs on three hits in the home half of the first.
Kayla Roidt and
Alivia Henderson would earn back-to-back walks in the second inning to provide MSUM a threat. The Dragons would score a run before the frame concluded after a sacrifice fly from
Riley McKeever.
The Gorillas would break the game open in the bottom half, scoring 10 runs on eight hits to lead 14-1.
Courtney Locke would get the first Dragon hit in the third on a double with Locke later scoring on a Roidt groundout. MSUM would continue to try and chip away at the deficit in the fourth as
Teagan Pranchke collected a one-out single. Pranchke would later score after Locke was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Lexie Wilson would single home a run in the ensuing at-bat before Roidt was doled an RBI walk. The Dragons would strand three runners on from there as Pitt State led 14-5.
Pittsburg State would get their lead back to 10 runs in the home half of the fourth inning. Pranchke would again find base in the fifth, eventually landing on third base after a two-out wild pitch. The Gorillas would keep Pranchke from crossing, securing a 15-5 win in five frames.
Game Two
The Gorillas would hold the Dragons without a hit to open the contest before scoring three runs on four hits in the home half. Pittsburg State would add on in the second frame, holding MSUM hitless while plating nine runs on seven hits. Heading into the third inning, MSUM trailed 12-0.
After three, the home team led by 14 runs as Moorhead was still searching for its first hit. That would come in the fourth inning after a single from
Sami Macchiaroli. Moore and Locke would single in the next at-bats to load the bases. Wilson would earn a walk, giving the Dragons their first run of the contest. Roidt would double in the ensuing at-bat to score two more. A sacrifice fly from
Lisa Garcia would make the count 14-4 heading into the home half.
In the final half inning, Moore would get Moorhead going again with a double. After Locke got on base due to a Gorilla error, Wilson would send both runners home on a double. Pitt State would settle in from there, retaining an eight-run lead to win 14-6 in five innings.
Up Next
MSUM (1-16) travels to Bolivar, Mo., for an evening doubleheader with Southwest Baptist tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
