Pittsburg, KS - The 24th-ranked McKendree University Softball team went toe-to-toe with an unbeaten (RV) Pittsburg State squad Sunday afternoon, showing flashes of power and fight before the Gorillas (17-0) protected their home field. McKendree fell 10-2 in the opener and 6-2 in game two, as Pittsburg State remained perfect. Despite the losses, McKendree was able to get off timely swings and battled into the late innings against one of Division-II's hottest teams.
GAME 1 | (RV) PITTSBURG STATE 10, #24 McKENDREE 2 (5 INN.)
McKendree traded zeros early before Pittsburg State used a big fourth inning to pull away in a 10-2 decision in the five-inning opener.
After the Gorillas built a 4-0 lead through three innings, the Bearcats answered in the top of the fourth.
Lauren Harris singled to ignite the rally, and
Jasmine Myers delivered the biggest swing of the day, a two-run home run to left-center that cut the deficit in half at 4-2.
Pittsburg State responded immediately in the bottom half, however. A solo home run started the surge before a combination of doubles and run-scoring hits pushed six runs across in the inning. The Gorillas totaled 11 hits in the game and capitalized on a defensive miscue to extend the margin.
McKendree was limited to two hits on the day, Harris' single and Myers' home run, while drawing three walks.
Sami Huck took the loss in the circle, but was able to strike out six across 3.1 innings, with
Lauren Lenihan working in relief.
GAME 2 | (RV) PITTSBURG STATE 6, #24 McKENDREE 2
Game two featured a tighter battle deep into the contest before Pittsburg State used a late push to secure a 6-2 win.
The Gorillas scratched across a run in the first and added two more in the third to take a 3-0 lead, but McKendree stayed within striking distance thanks to solid defense and pitching from
Ellie Vetter.
The breakthrough came in the sixth. After
Ali Grenzebach reached with a single, Myers once again delivered in a big moment, blasting a two-run home run to center field to cut the deficit to 4-2. The long ball, her second of the day, gave the Bearcats life and shifted momentum heading into the bottom half.
Pittsburg State answered, though, capitalizing on walks and a hit batter to plate two insurance runs in the sixth. The Gorillas matched McKendree with seven hits but drew six walks, using free passes to extend innings.
Grenzebach and Moore each recorded multiple quality at-bats, while Huck added a double among McKendree's seven hits. Vetter went six innings in the circle, striking out six.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
Wisconsin Parkside Rangers (1-5) & Grand Valley State Lakers (3-2)
Friday, February 27th - 11:00 AM & 1:30 PM
Oasis Sports Complex - Marion, IL
