PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team opened MIAA play by sweeping a pair of games from Fort Hays State University Sunday (Feb. 25) at Al Ortolani Field. The Gorillas defeated the Tigers 12-2 and 7-3.

In game one, Cody Whiting (3-0) limited FHSU (7-5, 0-2 MIAA) to one run and three hits in six innings of work.

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, Pitt State (8-4, 2-0 MIAA) plated a pair of runs in the bottom half of the opening frame thanks to an RBI double by Hunter Clanin and a run-scoring single by Reece Garvie. The Gorillas tacked on four runs in the second and two more in the third inning to expand their lead to 8-1.

Clanin went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. Dallas Reed belted a home run as part of a 2-for-3 game, driving in a pair of runs. Joven Afenir scored three runs and Tyson Cushman drove in a pair of runs.

In game two, the Gorillas broke open a 3-3 game with a four-run seventh inning. Afenir and Josh Whisler each had two-run doubles in the big frame.

Cooper Gardner (2-1) worked four innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. Gardner scattered three hits and fanned five batters. Cort Lesmeister shut down the Tigers in the ninth.

Afenir drove in three runs in the game. Clanin also had two RBIs.

The Gorillas and Tigers will wrap up the series with a 1 p.m. game Monday.