PITTSBURG — Washburn University starting pitcher Brock Gilliam tossed a complete-game gem and the Ichabods offense gave him enough run support to claim a 5-3 victory over Pittsburg State University in a quarterfinal round series opener in the 2021 MIAA Baseball Championship Friday (May 14).
The fifth-seeded Ichabods (20-10) are now a game away from advancing to the semifinals of the MIAA Championship next week, while the No. 4 seed Gorillas (26-14) will need to beat WU twice to take the series and advance. The two teams will meet in game two at 5 p.m. (CDT) Saturday (May 15). The game originally was scheduled for a 3 p.m. start but has been pushed back two hours due to forecasted Saturday rain showers.
WU broke open a 1-1 game with a three-run fourth inning against Pitt State starter David Henderson (7-4). The Ichabods stretched their margin to 5-1 with another run in the fifth inning.
Ryan Koval and Dawson Pomeroy delivered run scoring hits for the Gorillas in the bottom of the sixth inning to trim the margin to 5-3, but Gilliam (7-2) limited Pitt State to just a pair of base runners over the final three innings to shut the door.
Garrett McGowan belted a solo home run for Pitt State's first run in the bottom of the second inning.
