PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team twice staved off elimination Saturday (May 11) with a pair of one-run victories to advance to the fourth and final day of the 2019 MIAA Baseball Championship at Al Ortolani Field.

The Gorillas scored a 5-4 victory over Missouri Western State University and then claimed a 2-1 win over previously unbeaten University of Central Oklahoma to advance to Championship Sunday (May 12).

Pitt State (31-20) will meet UCO (35-17) at 12:30 p.m. (CDT) Sunday for the right to advance to the MIAA Championship Game at 4 p.m.

In the other half of the bracket, Missouri Southern State University will meet the University of Central Missouri at 9 a.m. Sunday for a berth in the final. The Lions defeated the Mules, 5-4, Saturday to set up their Sunday rematch.

Dante Richardson (2-1), making just his second start of the season, tossed a complete game against the Bronchos. He scattered five hits and issued three walks, while fanning 12 batters in a 141-pitch performance. Richardson outduled UCO's Brayden Nelson (6-1), who suffered his first loss of the year. Nelson allowed two runs in 6.0 innings of work before handing the ball to the Bronchos bullpen.

Ty Herrenbruck doubled home Tyson Cushman with the go-ahead run with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Gorillas plated their first run of the game by stringing together three straight singles by Chaz Burgess, Blain Ohlmeier and Clint Allen in the bottom of the second inning.

Against MWSU, Pitt State overcame 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to pull ahead in the sixth inning. Ohlmeier delivered a two-run single for the game-winning hit.

Justin Root (4-1) limited the Griffons (21-24) to one hit in 3.0 innings of relief work behind starter Brendan Stanek. Tanner Lane got the final seven outs of the contest to record his 13th save of the season.

John Oliver and Calec Cox each had three hits in the contest. Cox scored a pair of runs.