PITTSBURG -- The Winona State University baseball team jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and rode its early momentum to a 3-2 victory over Pittsburg State University Friday (Feb. 7) at Al Ortolani Field.

The Gorillas and Warriors will wrap up a three-game series with a Noon (CST) doubleheader Saturday (Feb. 8).The two teams were originally scheduled to play single games Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday (Feb. 9) at Noon, but the final game was moved up due to the threat of rain later this weekend.

On Friday, WSU (1-0) plated single runs in the first and second innings off Pitt State starter Tanner Lane (1-1). Justin Root worked three scoreless innings of relief before allowing a run in the top of the seventh for a 3-0 Warriors lead.

The Gorillas, who stranded 13 base runners in the game, finally broke through with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. Ryan Koval tripled with one out in the frame and scored when Austin Bonnel reached on a fielding error by WSU leftfielder Mitchell Seager. Bonnel eventually advanced to third and scored on Greyson Pinkett's sacrifice fly.

The Gorillas drew a pair of walks in the bottom of the ninth inning off WSU closer Nicholas Herold, but Herold ended the game by striking out Pitt State's Colton Marion. WSU started Aaron Mutter (1-0) limited the Gorillas to three hits over five innings of work to earn the victory.

Koval and Marion each collected two hits in the game for the Gorillas.