HAYS, Kan. — The Pittsburg State University baseball team opened MIAA play Saturday (Feb. 27) with a twinbill sweep of Fort Hays State University at Larks Park. The Gorillas defeated the Tigers, 9-1 and 6-0, to push their season record to 5-0.

In game one, the Gorillas broke up a 1-1 game with a run in the seventh inning and Pitt State added five insurance runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth to pull away. Dawson Pomeroy scored the go-ahead run in the seventh when Adam Theis reached on a two-out throwing error. Mason Hartman scored three runs in the contest and Cruz Aranda went 1-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs.

Pitt State's David Henderson (2-0) limited FHSU (0-6) to three hits in 6.0 innings of work. He allowed one run and registered five strikeouts. Justin Root and Jackson Blancarte scattered three hits in 3.0 innings of relief work behind Henderson.

In game two, Peyton Ingalls and Chandler Mauldin combined on a five-hit shutout. Ingalls (2-0) allowed three hits and registered six strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work. Mauldin earned the save with 3.0 inning of relief work, allowing two hits and recording three strikeouts.

Ryan Koval went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, while Caleb Carr batted 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Pomeroy and Aaron Gerdes also had two hits apiece for the Gorillas.

Pitt State and FHSU will wrap up the three-game conference series with a Noon game Sunday.