PITTSBURG -- Tyler McWhertor delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the University of Central Oklahoma baseball team to a 9-8 victory over Pittsburg State University in the 2019 MIAA Baseball Championship Sunday (May 12) at Al Ortolani Field.

The win sends the Bronchos to the tournament championship game against the University of Central Missouri. The loss leaves Pitt State to await the NCAA Division II National Tournament selection show Sunday evening to see if its season extends.

UCO (36-17) jumped out to a 7-1 lead before the Gorillas (31-21) rallied to plate five runs in the top of the seventh to trim the margin to a run.

The two teams traded runs in the eighth inning and Pitt State tied the scored at 8-8 in the top of the ninth. Paul Kropf led off the Bronchos half of the 10th inning with a single. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch and third base on a sacrifice bunt. McWhertor then delivered the game winner off PSU reliever Brendan Stanek (4-3), the last of six hurlers to pitch in the contest.

John Oliver wnet 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBIs, while Chaz Burgess went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.

Alex Achtermann started the game on the mound for the Gorillas. He went 4.0 innings while pitching on two days rest. Connor Lungwitz, Justin Root, Tanner Lane, Brad Kinsey and Stanek also pitched for the Gorillas. Kinsey went 2.0 innings on one day's rest.