PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team split a pair of MIAA games with Northwest Missouri State University Saturday (Mar. 28) at Al Ortolani Field. The Gorillas claimed a 7-5 victory in game one, before the Bearcats countered with a 9-3 decision in the night cap.

Nate Arnold went 2-for-4 with three RBI in the opener to spark the Pitt State offense and Ryan McKay sealed the win by recording the final six outs on the mound. The Gorillas trailed 3-2 before scoring four runs in the pivotal fifth inning.

Drake Herrman (3-0) earned the win by recording the final two outs in the fifth inning and McKay registered his fourth save with a pair of quick innings.

Derek Hackney, Andrew Vogelbaugh and Cole Brecheisen each collected two hits for Pitt State.

The Bearcats (14-13, 11-8 MIAA) struck for six runs in the second inning of the nightcap. The Gorillas (8-18, 4-11 MIAA) could get no closer than 7-3 down the stretch.

Hackney went 2-for-2 in the contest, while Vogelbaugh went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Pitt State and NWMSU will wrap up the four-game series with a final game at 1 p.m. Sunday (Mar. 29).