MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Northwest Missouri State managed to sweep Pittsburg State on Friday in the home opener as they took game one 9-5 and then game two 8-7 on the back of two late inning home runs.
Northwest plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning. Torri Blythe reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second base for her team leading 14th stolen base of the season. Blythe scored from second when Steph Mark singled up the middle to put her team up 1-0.
The Bearcat offense then unloaded for eight runs on five hits in the bottom of the second inning to take a 9-0 lead.
PSU attempted a comeback in the next three innings as they scored three runs in the top of the fourth followed by one run in each of the next two innings.
The Gorillas fell short in their comeback attempt as Abbie Vitosh picked up the win in the 9-5 victory. Vitosh tossed a complete game while allowing three earned runs and striking out three.
The Bearcats took an early lead in game two as Jordan Ereth led off with a double and was knocked in by Blythe who singled through the right side. Chantel Adams brought in Blythe from first when she smacked a double to the left field fence to put her team up 2-0.
PSU tied the game up at 2-2 in the top of the third inning.
Maddie Jones gave Northwest back the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run to left field.
The Gorillas plated three runs in the fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead.
Two hits and a fielder's choice led to the bases being loaded for Taszia Roseberry in the bottom half of the sixth. Roseberry then proceeded to hit a go-ahead grand slam to put her team up 7-5.
PSU answered back with a two run home run in the top of the seventh to tie the game up at 7-7.
With one out away in the bottom of the seventh, Mark took the first pitch over the left center field wall for a walk-off, solo home run.
Sarah Baldwin threw a complete game and earned the win in the 8-7 victory. Baldwin struck out six while allowing only four earned runs.
