PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team broke through for four runs in the fifth inning to break open a 2-1 game and ultimately hang on for an 8-6 victory over Fort Hays State University to salvage a doubleheader split Friday (Apr. 10). The Tigers defeated the Gorillas, 11-3, in game one of the MIAA series.

Jake Stevenson (2-4) limited FHSU (12-23, 9-17 MIAA) to three hits through five innings as Pitt State (12-21, 8-14 MIAA) opened up a 6-1 lead with a four-run fifth inning. Nate Arnold started the big inning with an RBI single. Jack Mercer added a two-run double and Cole Brecheisen capped the frame with a run-scoring single.

Ryan McKay registered his sixth save of the season by recording the final seven outs of the game. He fanned Cooper Langley with two runners on base to end the seventh inning, worked out of a two-one, one-out jam in the eighth with a pair of strikeouts, then retired the Tigers in order in the ninth to seal the victory.

Brecheisen went 3-for-4 with two RBI in the contest, while Sam Falcon went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, including a solo home run in the sixth inning.

In game one, FHSU jumped out to a 5-1 lead after two innings to chase Pitt State starter Cort Lesmeister (1-3), then put the game out of reach by scoring two runs in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh frames.

Derek Hackney went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Andrew Vogelbaugh went 2-for-2 with a walk.

The two teams will wrap up their four-game MIAA series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday (Apr. 11).