JOPLIN, Mo. — Jack Mercer belted a grandslam home run as part of a five-run first inning as the Pittsburg State University baseball team beat Missouri Southern State University, 10-1, Wednesday (Apr. 20) at Warren Turner Field.

The Gorillas (11-27, 6-23 MIAA) added five more runs in the second inning to build an early 10-0 lead against the Lions (26-14, 16-13 MIAA) and starter George Brandecker enjoyed a solid outing against MSSU.

Brandecker (1-5) limited the Lions to three hits and one earned runs over seven innings of work, striking out a career-best 13 MSSU batters. Tyle Rowe and Max Sanborn worked quiet innings of relief in the victory.

Chase Kilgore and Christian Arnold both went 2-for-4 in the game. Kilgore doubled and drove in two runs, while Arnold scored twice. Jacob Boylan and Brett Macary also went 2-for-4 at the plate in the contest.

Pitt State will travel to Bolivar, Mo., Thursday (Apr. 21) to open a three-game MIAA series against Southwest Baptist University.