Pittsburg State 9 Wayne State 1 (6 inn.)

            Wayne State could not overcome a pair of three-run innings by host Pittsburg State to open the game as the Gorillas downed the Wildcats 9-1 in six innings in the 2023 softball opener for Wayne State Saturday afternoon in Pittsburg, Kansas.  PSU is now 4-6 on the year while WSC is 0-1.
            Pittsburg State opened the game with three run innings in the first and second to take an early 6-0 advantage.
            The Wildcats got on the board in the fifth inning as senior third baseman Paiton Tornberg belted a solo home run over the left field fence to make the score 6-1.
            WSC threatened to score more as the Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs following a walk to Natalie Arbizu, a double by freshman Annika Manzanares and another walk to Dylan Sweeney.  But the 'Cats could not get another hit and left the bases loaded to cut into the Pittsburg State lead.
            The host Gorillas then closed the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to make the final score 9-1.
            Pittsburg State held an 11-2 edge in hits over the Wildcats.  Tornberg's solo homer and the double by Manzanares were the two WSC hits in the game.
            Sophomore starting pitcher Samantha Felt suffered the pitching loss in two innings of work, allowing six runs on seven hits with three strikeouts.  Freshman Sophie Stuart worked the remaining 3 2/3 innings and was charged with three runs on four hits while recording two strikeouts with three walks.
            Wayne State was scheduled to face Drury (Mo.) University later Saturday afternoon in another contest at the Pittsburg State triangular in Kansas.