JOPLIN, Mo. — The Pittsburg State University baseball team opened MIAA play Sunday (Feb. 27) with a doubleheader sweep of Missouri Southern State University at Warren Turner Field. The Gorillas defeated the Lions, 10-4 and 21-8.

Tanner Lane (1-1) made his first start of the season for Pitt State (6-6, 2-0 MIAA) in game one after xx previous relief appearances. He limited MSSU (7-7, 0-2 MIAA) to two runs, one earned, over 7.0 innings, scattering seven hits and registering six strikeouts. 

Garrett McGowan and Kaden Fowler belted home runs in the game for the Gorillas, while Jordan Maxson went 2-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and three RBIs. McGowan also finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. Ryan Koval added a two-run double in the contest.

In game two, the Pitt State offense exploded seven runs in each of the second, third and fourth innings. The Gorillas pounded out 19 hits and benefited from MSSU pitchers issuing 10 bases on balls.

Brett Wiemers (1-0) pitched 2.3 innings of two-hit relief to earn the victory in the run-rule shortened contest.

Maxson continued to swing a hot bat, going 5-for-6 with a double, three runs scored and three RBIs. Cruz Aranda also went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI, while McGowan went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBIs. Caleb Carr and Hector Carrillo also drove in two runs apiece in the contest.

Pitt State and MSSU will wrap up the three-game series with a 3 p.m. game Monday (Feb. 28).