EMPORIA -- The Pittsburg State University baseball team split a pair of tightly contested games against Emporia State University Saturday (Apr. 25) at Glennen Field. The Gorillas built an 11-1 lead before hanging on for an 11-10 victory in game one and the Hornets countered with a 2-0 victory in the nightcap.

The two squads will close out regular season play with a single game at Noon Sunday (Apr. 26).

In game one Saturday, Christian Arnold and Andrew Kreiling each belted grandslam home runs for Pitt State (18-28, 12-19 MIAA) -- Arnold with two outs in the top of the first and Kreiling two innings later as part of a six-run third.

Arnold, who came up a triple short of hitting for the cycle in the contest, added a two-run double in the big third inning against ESU (33-12, 22-12 MIAA).

Caleb Gardner (1-2) allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings of work before turning it over to the bullpen. Ryan McKay logged his eighth save of the season by recording the final five outs for the Gorillas.

In game two, ESU's Garrett Bane (5-2) limited the Gorillas to five hits in picking up the complete-game shutout win.

Cole Brecheisen collected a pair of hits in as many at-bats to lead the Pitt State offense.

Nick Brandecker (2-3) allowed just single runs in the first and third innings. He allowed five hits and walked two batters.