PITTSBURG — The University of Central Oklahoma baseball team broke a 3-3 tie with three runs in the top of the eighth inning and the Bronchos held on for a 7-4 victory over Pittsburg State University Friday (Mar. 25) at Al Ortolani Field.

The Bronchos (18-8, 10-5 MIAA) capitalized on a pair of errors to plate three runs in the pivotal eighth inning against the Gorillas (6-18, 1-14 MIAA). UCO added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning, before Pitt State plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth for the game's final three-run margin.

Greg Hyde (3-0) limited Pitt State to two runs, one earned, in seven strong innings of work. He scattered six hits while fanning five batters.

Pitt State starter Ryan McKay exited in the sixth inning, trailing 2-1. He allowed just three hits and one earned run while registering three strikeouts.

T.J. Sparr homered and drove in two runs for UCO, going 2-for-2 in the contest. Cole Brecheisen went 3-for-4 to lead Pitt State's nine-hit attack.

The two teams will wrap up their three-game MIAA series with a final game at 1 p.m. (CDT) Saturday.