EMPORIA, Kan. — The Emporia State University baseball team broke open a 3-3 tie with a six-run eighth inning to claim a 9-3 victory over Pittsburg State University in the MIAA series opener Friday (Apr. 12) at Glennen Field.

The Gorillas and the Hornets will resume their three-game series with a 1 p.m. (CDT) game Saturday (Apr. 13).

ESU (21-13, 15-7 MIAA) plated six runs on three hits in the decisive eighth frame. The Hornets also benefited from three walks, a hit batter and an error in the inning.

The Gorillas led 3-2 in the top of the fifth inning. ESU tied the score with a run in the sixth inning.

Brad Kinsey allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings for the Gorillas. He allowed three hits and walked six batters while registering five strikeouts. Conner Lungwitz (3-2) took the loss in relief, allowing two runs in 1 2/3 innings of work.

Alex Achtermann led the Gorillas with two hits in four plate appearances. Blain Ohlmeier, John Oliver and Clint Allen all had RBIs in the contest for Pitt State.