PITTSBURG — Pittsburg State University graduate pitcher Zac Shoemaker tossed 7.0 effective innings and the Gorillas hit their way to an 8-3 victory over Missouri Southern State University in the MIAA opener Friday (Feb. 24) at Al Ortolani Field.
 
Shoemaker (3-0) limited the Lions to five hits and two runs, issuing one walk and registering eight strikeouts to remain unbeaten in four starts for the Gorillas (9-4, 1-0 MIAA).
 
Cade Clemons and Connor Allen each drove in a pair of runs as Pitt State rallied from an early 2-0 deficit by scoring two runs in the fifth, a run in the sixth, three runs in the seventh and two runs in the eighth to build an 8-2 margin.
 
Clemons, Allen and Daegan Brady all smacked doubles in the contest. Clemons finished the game 2-for-3, while Allen went 2-for-4. Austin Warkins batted 1-for-3 with two runs scored. Andrew Wisner recorded the final out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to register his third save of the season.
 
Cole Woods (2-1) took the loss for MSSU (9-5, 0-1 MIAA). He allowed three runs in 5.2 innings. Will Doherty hit a solo home run for the Lions in the top of the second inning.
 
The Gorillas and Lions will resume the series with game two scheduled for 2 p.m. (CST) Saturday.