PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team claimed a 4-1 victory over Missouri Southern State University in the series opener Friday (Apr. 26) at Warren Turner Field.

The Gorillas (24-18, 16-12 MIAA) scored two runs in the second inning and then broke open a 2-1 game with two more in the top of the seventh against the MIAA leading Lions (29-15, 20-8). Pitt State remained in a tie for fifth place in the MIAA standings with Missouri Western Friday, following wins by the Gorillas and the Griffons over Southwest Baptist. MSSU slipped into a tie for the conference lead with Central Missouri.

Tyler Pittman belted a two-run triple to give the Gorillas and early 2-0 lead in the second inning. After MSSU countered with a run in the bottom of the third, Pitt State extended its margin to three runs in the top of the seventh on Quinn Reasoner's two-run single.

Alex Achtermann (5-5) allowed just one run in 6.0 innings of work. He allowed six hits and four walks, while fanning seven batters. Connor Lungwitz tossed two hitless innings of relief work and Tanner Lane notched his ninth save of the season by recording the final three outs in the ninth.

Pitt State and MSSU will resume their three-game series with a 2 p.m. game Saturday.