WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The University of Central Missouri baseball team scored nine runs between the fourth and seventh innings to break open a scoreless tie and eventually take a 12-2 win over Pittsburg State University to complete the sweep of the NCAA Super Regional series over the Gorillas Friday (May 23).

The loss draws a close to Pitt State's record-breaking 42-12 season and the seven-year tenure of legendary head coach Bob Fornelli, who announced earlier this month his intention to retire at the end of the season. Fornelli became just the fourth active NCAA Division II head coach to reach 1,100 career victories in the Gorillas' 13-7 win vs. Northeastern State earlier this season (Mar. 30). He steps away from the game with a 1,120-495 (.693) record in 29 years as a collegiate coach and a 215-116(.650) mark leading the Gorillas.

Rickey Sanchez led Pitt State's 12-hit attack against the Mules by going 4-for-4 with a solo home run Friday. Dagen Brewer and Hayden Dyer each collected a pair of hits, while Drew Bugner and Jake Skaggs both doubled in the contest. The Gorillas stranded 14 runners on base on the day.

Kolby Dougan (8-1) suffered his first loss of the season in the defeat. Dougan, who battled back from an arm injury that sidelined him for a month down the stretch of the season, allowed four runs in 4.2 innings of work. He recorded three strikeouts to raise his season strikeout total to 110.

With the win, UCM (43-11) advances to the 2025 NCAA Division II College World Series at Cary, N.C.