Softball splits with Pittsburg State in season opener
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Kansas Wesleyan opened the 2008 softball season with a doubleheader split with Pittsburg State (Kan.) on Thursday afternoon at the PSU Softball Complex.

Pitt State jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning of game one, as the Gorillas used two doubles and a homerun to plate four. The Coyotes had a chance in their half of the second, loading the bases on a Brittany Ludwisiak walk, but Katie Coker’s ground out to the pitcher would end the threat.

The Gorillas added another pair in the bottom half of the fifth to seal the win.

Jamie Peat (0-1) took the loss for the Coyotes, giving up six runs on nine hits in six innings of work in the first game. Tiffany Swanson got the game one win for Pitt State, scattering five hits over seven innings, while striking out 11 and walking two.

Game two saw Katie Coker make her collegiate debut for Wesleyan. Coker scattered four hits over seven innings, while striking out nine and walking no one as the Coyotes picked up the 1-0 win.

Wesleyan got the only run of the second game in the top half of the seventh inning. A two-out single from Coker got it started, as she moved to third on two stolen bases, and eventually scored on an error by the Pitt State third baseman on a ball from Jessica Barkley.

KWU (1-1) is back on the road on Saturday as they play Doane (Neb.) in Crete and then take on Hastings (Neb.) on Sunday. The Coyote home opener is still a month away as Wesleyan will not make its home debut until March 27 against Saint Mary.

-- KWU SI --