PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg State University baseball team overcame a 5-3 deficit with a three-run fifth inning and the Gorillas tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth and seventh frames to claim an eventual 10-7 victory over Drury University Tuesday (Mar. 17) at Al Ortolan Field.

The win helped the Gorillas improve to 23-2 overall on the season after Pitt State climbed to No. 2 in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Division II Top 30 poll earlier Tuesday. Pitt State entered the day ranked No. 1 national in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) D2 Top 25 poll.

Cole Carter's sacrifice fly capped the Gorillas' three-run fifth, staking Pitt State to a 6-5 lead. Landon Bruce, who reached on a throwing error by Drury third baseman Jackson Crider earlier in the inning, scored on the play.

Grant Nottlemann collected three of the Gorillas 10 hits in the contest. Cooper Wesslund went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Jadyn McNealy went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and three RBI. Eric Bacon and Dagen Brewer had two RBI apiece as well.

Brady Stuewe (2-0), the fourth of six Pitt State pitchers to throw in the game, picked up the victory. He issued one walk in 1.0 inning of work. Cooper Crouch recorded the final three outs for his fourth save of the year.

Seven Drury (12-9) pitchers combined to surrender 13 walks on the day. Hayden Linton (0-1) was charged with the loss.

Pitt State continue in the middle of its nine-game home stand by hosting a three-game MIAA series against the University of Central Oklahoma starting Friday (Mar. 20).