Box Score EMPORIA, Kan. — The Pittsburg State University baseball team jumped out to an early lead and held off Emporia State University in the late innings for a 12-10 victory Tuesday (Mar. 12) at Glennen Field.

The Gorillas (17-5, 8-2 MIAA) scored four runs in the first inning and four more in the third frame to take an 8-0 lead against the Hornets (12-12, 3-7 MIAA). ESU countered with four runs in its half of the third and three more runs in the fourth inning to get back into the ball game.

Cole Askew picked up his second save of the season by fanning ESU's Logan Myers with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to seal the win, Pitt State's seventh straight victory.

Nixon Brannan doubled and smacked a pair of home runs to lead the Gorillas 13-hit attack in the contest. Brannan scored three times and drove in four runs. Austin Warkins and Cade Clemons also belted home runs.

Brett Wiemers (1-0) earned the win on the mound for the Gorillas. Wiemers limited ESU to three hits in 3.1 innings of relief work and registered four strikeouts.

Kadyn Williams doubled, hit three home runs and totaled eight RBI in the losing effort for the Hornets.

Pitt State will return home to open a three-game MIAA series against No. 10 ranked Missouri Southern State University starting Friday (Mar. 15).