PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team plated four runs in the top of the third inning and rode that early momentum to a 7-3 victory over Northwest Missouri State University in the MIAA series opener Friday (Mar. 10).
 
The Gorillas and Bearcats will return to Al Ortolani Field for a 1 p.m. (CST) game Saturday. The series, originally scheduled for Maryville, Mo., moved to Pittsburg due to wet grounds at Bearcat Field.
 
Zach Shoemaker improved to 5-0 on the season for the Gorillas. Shoemaker allowed two unearned runs and seven hits through 6.0 innings of work. He registered seven strikeouts. Relievers Chase Terrell, Boston Dowd and Parker Weddle each tossed an inning behind Shoemaker.
 
Daegan Brady led the Gorillas at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Joe Hamilton, Austin Warkins and Nixon Brannan each doubled and collected two hits in the game.