MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The Pittsburg State University baseball team turned in a solid day of hitting and pitching as the Gorillas swept an MIAA doubleheader from Northwest Missouri State University Thursday (Apr. 12). The Gorillas were fueled by a 21-hit attack in a 16-3 win over the Bearcats in the series opener and Pitt State posted its first shutout of the season by limiting NWMSU to five hits in a 5-0 win in the nightcap.
The wins helped Pitt State improve to 26-13 overall and 18-9 in MIAA play and climb into third place in the conference standings. NWMSUÂ (20-17, 15-8 MIAA) slid into fourth place in the standings following the day's action.
The two teams will complete their three-game MIAA series with a 1 p.m. contest Friday (Apr. 13).
In game one Thursday, the Gorillas jumped out to a 4-0 first inning lead and never looked back. Pitt State added six runs in the fifth inning to push its margin to 10-1 en route to the 16-3 win.
Hunter Clanin went 3-for-6 with three runs scored and four RBIs to lead the Pitt State offensive attack. Cody White and Brett Macary also had three hits apiece and each drove in a pair of runs. Clanin and Reece Garvie each scored three times.
Cort Lesmeister (1-1) worked the final 4 1/3 innings, limiting the Bearcats to two hits and one unearned run to earn the win. Ethan Vanderpool was equally effective as he held NWMSU to six hits - and two runs - over the first 4 2/3 innings.
In game two, Jarret Dotson and Cooper Gardner combined on a six-hit shutout of the Beacats. Dotson (1-0) earned his first collegiate win by holding NWMSUÂ to four hits over 6 2/3 innings of work. Gardner registered the final seven outs to pick up his first save of the season.
The Gorillas scored twice in the top of the first and added another run in the second for a quick 3-0 lead. Pitt State tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the eighth and ninth frames.
Josh Whisler went 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the contest, while Joven Afenir also collected three hits, scored twice and drove in a run. Clanin continued his torrid hitting day with three more hits.