TOPEKA — The Pittsburg State University baseball team posted an 8-6 victory over Washburn University in the MIAA opener for both schools Friday (Feb. 23) at Falley Field.
The Gorillas (10-3, 1-0 MIAA) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, then erased a 4-3 deficit with a three-run sixth inning en route to the win over the Ichabods (4-7, 0-1 MIAA).
Dylan Kurahashi-Choy Foo and Topeka native Daegan Brady each smacked two-run home runs in the contest. Karson Coffee, the reigning NCAA Division II National Hitter of the Week, also went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, two runs scored and two RBI. Jake Grauberger also drove in a pair of runs.
Landon Reith (1-0) got the final out of the fourth inning to earn the win on the mound for Pitt State. Starter Tanner Leslie allowed four runs and six hits in 3.2 innings of work. Relievers Cadyn Castellanos, Gage Singer and Cole Askew limited the Ichabods to one run and four hits over 4.0 innings of relief. Andrew Wisner got the final three outs, registering a pair of strikeouts, for his second save of the season.
The Gorillas and Ichabods will return to action for game two of the series Saturday (Feb. 24) at 2 p.m. (CST).