WICHITA- The Newman softball team was swept by Pittsburg State, 3-1 and 10-6 on Tuesday at Newman Softball Field. Kelsey Jones led the Jet offense, going 4-for-6 with 3 RBI's in the doubleheader. 

Game 1:

Neither offense could muster anything in the first two innings, until Pittsburg State (23-21) struck in the top of the third. The Gorillas used two hits, and a Newman (3-22) error to score the games' first run. The Jets struck back half an inning later. Kaitlyn Padilla led off the frame with a single, and advanced to second on a Briana Hallacy walk.  Steph Harshberger's fielder choice forced Padilla out at third, but a Kelsey Jones single through the right side drove in Hallacy to tie the game at 1-1.

Pittsburg State used single runs in the fourth and seventh innings, along with a strong showing by Hillary Erbert  to secure the 3-1 victory. Sarah Fipps went the distance in the loss, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits, and struck out four Gorillas. Kelsey Jones led the Jets' bats, batting 2-for-3 in the game.

Game 2:

It didn't take either team long to get the bats rolling in the finale. Pittsburg State (24-21) used two hits and a stolen base by Breanna George to plate the first run of the game. Newman (3-23) swung back half an inning later. With two outs in their opening at-bats, Peyton Riedel doubled to right center, and scored on a Kelsey Jones double down the left field line, to tie the game at 1-1. 

Both teams continued the scoring trend in the third inning. The Gorillas scored one run in the frame on three hits, but left three runners on base to take a 2-1 lead. The Jets ignited in their half of the inning. With two outs and all the momentum swinging to Pitt State, Steph Harshberger kept the inning alive with a double to right center. A Peyton Riedel walk, and a Kelsey Jones double plated Harshberger, and put Riedel on third. Sarah Fipps continued the inning with a single up the middle to drive in Riedel and Jones,before a pitching change by the Gorillas, Katie Traffas teed off on reliever Jessica Barnes with a single through the left side. An Erin Carney single drove in Traffas and Fipps to give Newman a 6-2 lead.

The lead was short lived, unfortunately. Pitt State responded with a monster fourth inning that saw a bases clearing double, along with two more runs to give the Gorillas a 7-6 lead. Pitt State scored three more runs in the sixth inning to cruise to a 10-6 victory.

Kelsey Jones lived up to the clean-up role, batting 4-for-4 with two RBI's. Peyton Riedel and Sarah Fipps both turned in two hit games for the Jets. Newman returns to action on Wednesday when they travel to Liberty, Mo. for a doubleheader at William Jewell. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

--www.newmanjets.com--