PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team opened the 2016 season with a doubleheader sweep against visiting University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) Saturday. The Gorillas defeated the Cougars 6-4 in the opener and 4-3 in game two.

In the opener, Pitt State broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the fifth inning with a three-run frame. Andrew Vogelbaugh doubled and eventually scored from third on a passed ball. Jake Durossette added a pair of insurance runs with a two-out, two-run double.

Ty Rowe (1-0) allowed two runs, one earned, in two innings of relief to pick up the win, while closer Ryan McKay recorded the final three outs for the save. George Brandecker, in his return after a medical redshirt season in 2015, allowed just two hits and two runs in four innings to start the game. He fanned seven batters.

In the nightcap, Pitt State plated a pair of runs in the first and fifth frames and the Gorillas bullpen allowed just two hits over the final 4 2/3 innings to preserve a 4-3 victory.

The Gorillas entered the fifth inning trailing 3-2 but Pitt State pounded out five hits in the frame to push in front. Jack Mercer singled through the ride side of the infield to score Jacob Boylan from second base with the tying run. Cole Brecheisen then put the Gorillas in front with a bunt single to second base that scored Vogelbaugh from third.

Nick Brandecker (1-0) allowed just one hit in 2 2/3 innings of relief work behind starter Blaine Fisher. Dylan Donley recorded one out in the eighth and McKay induced an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the eighth. He then retired the Cougars in the ninth for his second save of the day.

The two teams will complete a four-game series with a Noon doubleheader Sunday (Feb. 7).