TOPEKA -- The Pittsburg State University baseball team used a pair of big offensive innings to power past Washburn University, 14-3 in seven innings, in the MIAA series opener between the two schools Friday afternoon (Apr. 29) at Falley Field.

The Gorillas and Ichabods will return to action for game two Saturday at 2 p.m. (CST).

On Friday, Pitt State took advantage of a six-run fourth inning to break a scoreless tie. After the Gorillas (28-17, 21-10 MIAA) stretched their lead to 9-3 they put the game out of reach with a five-run seventh inning.

The victory guaranteed Pitt State will finish no lower than fourth place in the MIAA standings; and it locked up a home series in the first round of the impending 2022 MIAA Championships next weekend (May 6-8).

Garrett McGowan and Austin Bonnel each collected three hits and drove in three runs in the contest. Mason Hartman also went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI, while Braeden Hinton went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI.

Peyton Ingalls improved to 7-1 on the season. He allowed three runs in 4.0 innings of work on the mound. Conner Van Cleave earned his first save of the season by recording the final nine out. He held the Ichabods (28-17, 18-13 MIAA) hitless and registered four strikeouts.