ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Pittsburg State University baseball team opened a three-game MIAA series by sweeping a pair of games from Missouri Western State University Thursday (Mar. 22). The Gorillas defeated the Griffons, 11-3 and 6-3.

The wins helped Pitt State improve to 18-9 overall and 10-5 in MIAA play. The Gorillas sit in fourth place in the conference standings. Western saw its nine-game winning streak snapped Thursday as the Griffons slipped to 14-11 overall and 7-5 in the MIAA.

Cody Whiting (4-0) pitched six strong innings in the opener. He limited MWSU to six hits and two earned runs while fanning nine batters. Conner Davis tossed three hitless innings of relief behind Whiting to pick up the save.

The Gorillas struck early in the contest with a nine-run second inning to build a big lead. Hunter Clanin and Reece Garvie each collected three hits in the game for Pitt State. Clanin and Tyson Cushman both drove in three runs as well.

In game two, Cooper Gardner (5-1) posted four scoreless innings of relief work to help the Gorillas recover from a 3-2 deficit and rally for the win. Colton Pogue led Pitt State's nine-hit attack, going 3-for-5, while Joven Afenir also had a pair of hits. Reliever Cody White worked a scoreless ninth inning to register his eighth save of the season.

The Gorillas and Griffons will look to wrap up the series with a 1 p.m. game scheduled for Friday (Mar. 23).