EMPORIA -- Emporia State University broke open a 7-6 game with a five-run seventh inning to pull away for a 12-9 victory over Pittsburg State University in the opening game of a four-game MIAA series Friday (Apr. 24) at Glennen Field.

The Hornets (32-11, 21-11 MIAA) and Gorillas (17-27, 11-18 MIAA) will return to the diamond for a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday (Apr. 25).

ESU jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning, fell behind 4-2 thanks to a four-run fourth frame by Pitt State and took a 6-4 lead with a four-run fifth. The Gorillas knotted the score with a two-run top of the sixth, but the Hornets countered with a run in the bottom of the frame to take the lead for good.

Nate Arnold led the Pitt State offensive attack, going 5-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. Andrew Vogelbaugh also went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Andrew Kreiling and Jack Mercer also belted  home runs.

The Gorillas out-hit the Hornets, 16-12, but Pitt State stranded 11 baserunners in the contest, while the Hornets left only one man on base in the game.