Pittsburg, Kan. -Newman Softball traveled to Pittsburg on Wednesday afternoon to face the #9 Pittsburg State Gorillas. In one of the toughest matchups of the year, the Jets were able to stay in the games and compete against one of the best teams in the country. Newman was able to get more hits than Pittsburg State in the second game, but a great defensive effort from the Gorillas stopped the Jets from scoring more runs. 

Newman was coming off of a split against the Fort Hays State Tigers, winning game one after an incredible eight run fifth inning aided by nine Jet hits. Senior Jackie Gold led the Jet defense, earning her eleventh win of the season after accumulating a total of seven strikeouts in the game. After a great game like this one, the Jets were looking to compete against the Gorillas, and they did. 

Game 1:
The first game started with three scoreless innings where both teams played great defense and held each other down to only a couple of hits. After that, the Gorillas were the first ones to go up on the scoreboard, scoring three runs off of a single and two misplaced pitches. 

Newman was able to respond in the top of the sixth inning with two hits, one from Hayley Bonython and another one from Aj Borja, that scored the first Jet run to give Newman hope for a comeback. Knowing how the last couple of series had gone, a comeback was very much possible, even against the #9 team in the country. Newman left the second and the tying run on base, sending a message to their ranked rivals.

The Gorillas didn't back down from the challenge and proved why they are ranked as one of the best teams scoring three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. 

Despite being able to put two runners on base again, Newman wasn't able to score any more runs. 

Hayley Bonython had half of the teams hits, recording another outstanding performance in one of the last games of the year. 

Game 2:
The Gorillas weren't too happy with how close the first game went and came out to the field ready to prove once again who was the better team. They scored three runs off of a hit and a pitch thrown too fast.

The Jets, once again, responded in the following half inning with a single from Gianna Navarro that scored Malie Noda. Newman sent a message back saying they weren't planning on backing down just yet. 

After those first couple of innings, the Jets were able to get an additional four hits, and left four runners on base, putting the pressure on the Gorillas defense to make a mistake. 

Jackie Gold's performance was, once again, outstanding. Gold held the number nine ranked team down to only four hits and three earned runs in six innings pitched. She also added four additional strikeouts to her bulky strikeout collection. 

The Gorillas took game two as well but had to battle for the win just like in game one. 

Up Next:
The Jets will warp up their season with a doubleheader against Missouri Southern on Saturday afternoon.