PITTSBURG — The Missouri Western State University baseball team scored five runs over the final three innings of play to break a 2-2 tie and pull away for a 7-3 victory over Pittsburg State University Thursday (Apr. 18) at Al Ortolani Field.

The Griffons (18-15, 15-10 MIAA) claimed their fourth straight win by halting the Gorillas (21-18, 13-11) modest three-game win streak. The two squads will resume their three-game MIAA series with a 2 p.m. (CDT) contest Friday.

Thomas Ruwe (2-1) won for the second time in as many starts on the mound for Western. He limited Pitt State to one hit over 8.0 innings of work – a two-run second inning home run by the Gorillas' Greyson Pinkett. He issued two walks and hit a batter, while registering eight strikeouts.

Brad Kinsey (5-2) allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings for Pitt State. He walked one and struck out eight batters.

Blain Ohlmeier singled and later scored on a wild pitch off MWSU reliever Levi Abrahamson in the ninth inning for Pitt State's final run.