WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The University of Central Missouri baseball team broke open a 5-1 game with four runs apiece in the fifth and sixth innings to claim a 13-2 victory over Pittsburg State University in opening round action of the 2023 MIAA Baseball Championship Thursday (May 11) at Tompkins Field at Crane Stadium.
The Gorillas (33-19) fall into the loser's bracket and will face the loser of Friday's match-up between Missouri Southern State University and Northeastern State University at 3 p.m. (CDT) Friday.
Zac Shoemaker (9-3) took the loss on the mound for Pitt State against the Mules (39-13). He allowed eight runs (seven earned) in 4.1 innings. Boston Dowd, Maverick Hanna and Chase Terrell pitched behind Shoemaker.
Austin Warkins and Karson Coffee had two hits apiece for the Gorillas. Brett Daley had an RBI single in the second inning and Jake Grauberger plated Pitt State's second run with a seventh inning sacrifice fly.