WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The No. 20-ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to rally from a 4-3 deficit and defeat No. 4-ranked Central Missouri Mules baseball, 7-4, in the series finale of a three-game MIAA series Sunday, March 2, at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field.
With the loss, the Mules (11-3, 5-1 MIAA) had their eight-game winning streak snapped, but still won the three-game series over the Gorillas, 2-1. UCM is scheduled to host the Drury Panthers (5-9) in a non-conference, midweek game Wednesday, March 5, in Warrensburg.
Vance Tobol went 3-for-4 with his team-best fourth homer of the season and added two RBI while
Grant Hollister was 2-for-5 with a double, leading UCM at the plate for the game.
Central Missouri left-handed reliever
Chris Massey (1-1) suffered the setback on the rubber after giving up four earned runs on one hit with two strikeouts and three walks in 1 1/3 innings.
Rickey Sanchez and Kadyn Williams each had two hits, and Austin Warkins drove in three runs, pacing the Gorillas (11-3, 3-3 MIAA) offensively in the contest.
Pittsburg State relief pitcher Brady Pacha (3-0) earned the victory after throwing two scoreless and hitless innings with four strikeouts and one walk on 34 pitches.
