MANKATO, Minn. — The Pittsburg State University baseball team made a strong debut in the 2025 NCAA Division II Central Regional Thursday (May 15) with an 18-5 opening round victory over Henderson State University.

The Gorillas overcame an early 2-1 deficit with a four-run third inning and Pitt State added two more runs in the fourth inning and six runs in the fifth frame to take control.
The Gorillas (40-10), who reached 40 wins for the first time in program history, will meet the winner of a first-round match-up between Minnesota State University and the University of Arkansas-Monticello Friday (May 16) at 6 p.m. at ISG Field in a winner's bracket game. HSU (32-23) will meet Thursday game two loser at 2 p.m. Friday.

Pitt State batters pounded out 17 hits in the contest, including five doubles and four home runs. Rickey Sanchez, Dagen Brewer and Nixon Brannan each homered and doubled. Jake Skaggs also smacked a three-run homer, while Hayden Dyer doubled twice in the contest.

Maddox Thornton (10-2) picked up his team-leading 10th victory on the mound. Thornton allowed five runs (four earned) in 6.0 innings of work. Brett Wiemers tossed 2.0 scoreless innings behind Thornton and Braxton Haywood retired the Reddies in order in the ninth to seal the victory.