PITTSBURG -- Blake Mozley delivered an RBI double and Dylan Kurahashi-Choy Foo followed with a two-run blast to plate three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and help seal a 9-4 MIAA series opening win over Missouri Western State University Friday (Apr. 12) at Al Ortolani Field.

The Gorillas (25-14, 15-10 MIAA) methodically worked in front, 6-1, against the Griffons (18-20, 9-16 MIAA) before MWSU produced a three-run rally in the top of the eighth to pull within a pair of runs, 6-4.

Tanner Leslie (8-2) pitched into the eighth inning to pick up his team-leading eighth win of the season. He scattered nine hits over 7.1 innings of work, issuing just one walk and fanning six batters. Boston Dowd recorded the final five outs to earn his first save of the season.

Mozley belted a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning to give Pitt State an early 1-0 lead. Jake Grauberger added a run-scoring single in the third and Josh Holmes smacked a two-run double in the frame for a 4-0 advantage.

Mozley, Choy Foo and Cade Clemons each had two hits in the contest. Grauberger and Clemons scored two runs apiece.

Pitt State and MWSU will resume the series with a 1 p.m. (CDT) contest Saturday (Apr. 13).