Box Score

Box Score | Season Statistics

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Ryan Ventura delivered a two-run go-ahead homerun in the top of the ninth inning to lift Pittsburg State to a 3-1 victory over Central Oklahoma in an elimination game Thursday (May 9) in the 2013 MIAA Baseball Championships.

The Gorillas (29-23) advance to face the loser of a match-up between top-seeded Missouri Western and third-seeded Missouri Southern Friday (May 10) at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) at Community America Ballpark. The Bronchos (30-19) have their season come to an end.

PSU's George Brandecker (6-4) locked horns in a pitcher's duel with UCO's Landon Hallam. Brandecker scattered seven hits in eight innings of work, allowing just a third-inning run.

Luke Bordewick helped the Gorillas erase a 1-0 deficit with a solo shot in the fourth inning -- his third home run of the season.

Pitt State, which stranded nine runners in the contest, finally pushed across the go-ahead runs in the ninth. Austin Lastimado drew a one-out walk off reliever Ethan Sharp (3-1) and Ventura, who finished the game 4-for-5, followed with the shot down the rightfield line.

Ryan McKay struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to record his fifth save of the season.

The Gorillas dropped a 9-0 decision to Missouri Southern in their first tournament game Thursday. The Lions' Brett Abell limited Pitt State to six hits in the contest.

Western posted a 9-3 win over UCO in its first contest Thursday to set up the winners' bracket match-up against Southern at 11 a.m. Friday.