PITTSBURG — Wyatt Gray belted a go-ahead three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to lead the University of Central Oklahoma to a 10-9 victory over Pittsburg State University Saturday (May 6) at Al Ortolani Field.

The Bronchos (32-18) staved off elimination in the 2023 MIAA Postseason Tournament quarterfinal series with the win against the Gorillas. Pitt State (32-18) defeated UCO, 12-7, in the first game of the best of three game series Friday night.

On Saturday, the Bronchos benefited from nine walks, four hit batters and a trio of defensive errors by a typically staunch Pitt State defense.

Jacob Bailey (2-3) pitched 3.0 innings of relief to earn the victory for the Bronchos after tossing 44 pitches in game one Friday evening. Bailey did surrender a two-rum home run to Cade Clemons in the bottom of the eighth inning, but he registered seven strikeouts among his nine outs to hold off a Pitt State rally.

Clemons, Jake Grauberger and Connor Laux all smacked home runs in the contest for the Gorillas. Clemons and Grauberger had two hits apiece and each drove in three runs. Austin Warkins had a team-leading three hits in the contest. Laux also drove in two runs and scored a pair of runs.

Parker Weddle (2-1), the last of seven Pitt State pitchers in the game, took the loss.

The Gorillas and Bronchos will meet in a deciding third game Sunday at Noon with the winner advancing to the 2023 MIAA Championship Series at Warrensburg, Mo., next week.