PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg State University completed a three-game MIAA series sweep of Northeastern State University and gave head coach Bob Fornelli a milestone coaching victory in the process Sunday (Mar. 30).

The Gorillas (22-7, 12-7 MIAA) posted an eight-run first inning to set the tone early in a 13-7 win against the RiverHawks (10-21, 7-10 MIAA) at Al Ortolani Field. Fornelli secured the 1,100th victory of his decorated 29-year career, including his 195th win at Pitt State. He became just the fourth active NCAA Division II baseball coach to reach 1,100 career wins.

Connor Allen doubled, homered and drove in three runs during a 2-for-4 hitting day at the plate for the Gorillas. Hayden Dyer, Jake Skaggs and Kadyn Williams each knocked in two runs. Allen and Alex Rodgers scored two runs apiece.

Tanner Leslie (2-2) limited NSU to one run on four hits through 5.0 innings pitched. He walked none and registered five strikeouts. Five relievers -- Landon Reith, Ryan Leiker, Brett Wiemers, Lucas Vanlanduit and Cadyn Castellanos -- pitched behind Leslie.

Fornelli, who is in his seventh season leading the Gorillas, ranks fourth among active NCAA Division II coaches in victories (1,100) and eighth in winning percentage with a 1,100-490 (.692) record in 29 seasons as a collegiate head coach. He secured his 1,000th career coaching victory with a 3-2 decision against the University of Central Oklahoma in Pittsburg on Saturday, April 2, 2022.

Pitt State will take a four-game winning streak on the road Tuesday (Apr. 1) when the Gorillas battle Drury University at Mark Wooley Field at Meador Park in Springfield, Mo.