PITTSBURG -- Maddox Thornton pitched five-plus solid innings and the Pittsburg State University offense provided three key insurance runs in the fifth innings as the Gorillas claimed a 6-1 series opening win over Truman State University Friday (Feb. 7) at Al Ortolani Field.

Thornton (2-0) surrendered a first inning run on three hits but settled down to limit the Bulldogs to three hits over the next 4.2 innings en route to his second win in as many starts for the Gorillas, who improve to 4-0 on the young season.

Dagen Brewer smacked a run scoring double in the bottom of the first inning to knot the score at 1-1. Rickey Sanchez doubled in the frame off TSU starter Isaac Epp to set up Brewer's hit. Kadyn Williams added an RBI single to plate Brewer and put Pitt State ahead. Sanchez was hit by pitch with the bases loaded in the second inning to extend the Gorillas lead to 3-1.

Hayden Dyer added and RBI double and Jake Skaggs belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth and the Pitt State bullpen shut the door on any potential Bulldogs comeback bid. Landon Reith got the final out of the sixth inning and Cadyn Castellanos worked two clean innings with three strikeouts. Newcomer Roy Holcomb got the final three outs in the ninth in his Pitt State debut.

The Gorillas and Bulldogs will continue the series with a Noon doubleheader Saturday.