PITTSBURG — The Missouri Western State University baseball team swept a doubleheader from Pittsburg State University Friday (Mar. 10) at Al Ortolani Field. The Griffons won a pitcher's duel, 2-1, in the series opener before claiming a 9-4 win in Friday's nightcap.

The two teams will attempt to complete their three-game MIAA series Saturday (Mar. 11), weather permitting.

The Griffons (11-7, 8-0 MIAA) got a complete-game pitching effort from Richard Peoples in game one. Peoples (4-1) limited the Gorillas (7-14, 1-7 MIAA) to five hits in the contest. He took a shutout into the eighth inning. Cody Whiting (2-3) allowed just two runs in five innings of work for Pitt State. Relievers Ty Rowe and Cooper Gardner held the Griffons scoreless in four innings of relief work.

Colton Pogue broke up Peoples' shutout bid with an RBI grounder that scored pinch runner Tyson Cushman.

In game two, MWSU broke open a 3-0 game with a five-run sixth inning to take an 8-0 lead. Starter Nate Hunter (3-1) hed the Gorillas scores until they finally broke through with a three-run sixth inning. Jeremy Alvarado went 2-for-5 with three RBIs to lead the Griffons.

Dallas Reed was the only Pitt State player to collect two hits. Andrew Vogelbaugh, Hunter Clanin and Ethan Schlesener each drove in a run for the Gorillas.