PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team broke open a 6-4 game with two runs in the seventh and five more in the eighth inning as the Gorillas pulled away for a 13-6 win Saturday (Mar. 4).

Pitt State (7-10, 1-4 MIAA) snapped a four-game losing streak while handing UCM (12-3, 4-1 MIAA) its first loss in 10 games. The two teams will complete a three-game series with a 1 p.m. (CST) game Sunday (Mar. 5) at Al Ortolani Field.

The Gorillas struck early against the Mules Saturday as Dallas Reed gave Pitt State a 2-0 lead with a two-run home run in the first inning. Logan Terrell added a run-scoring single in the second inning.

After the Mules trimmed the margin to 3-1 in the top of the third, Andrew Vogelbaugh belted a solo home run for a 4-1 Pitt State margin.

PSU starter Ethan Vanderpool (1-2) allowed no earned runs in five innings of work. He surrendered a two-run home run to Collin Nevil in the fifth, after a fielding error extended the frame.

Nick Brown then held UCM at bay over three relief innings. Brown surrendered a run in the sixth inning as the Mules got as close at 6-4, but he didn't give up any additional runs as he fanned three batters.

UCM's defense fell apart in the seventh and eighth innings as three errors allowed Pitt State to score seven unearned runs over the two frames.

Brett Macary delivered an RBI double in the seventh and Vogelbaugh had a run-scoring hit in the eighth. Macary and Tyson Cushman each drew bases loaded walks in the eighth as well.

Reed went 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Vogelbaugh also went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI.