Gorillas, Panthers Split Non-Conference Twinbill - KOAM TV 7

Gorillas, Panthers Split Non-Conference Twinbill

PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Drury University Tuesday (Mar. 12) at Al Ortolani Field. The Gorillas managed just four hits in an 8-0 loss in game one before rolling to a 13-3 victory over the Panthers in the nightcap.

Ryan Ventura went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs to pace Pitt State's 14-hit attack in game two. The Gorillas (9-5) broke open a 1-1 game with four runs in the third and three more in the fourht against the Panthers (7-5).

Ryan Bilovesky added three hits, while Evan Thomas collected two hits and drove in a pair of runs. Austin Lastimado also had two hits and Brad Foss drove in a team-high three RBIs.

Eric Hanson (2-1) allowed six hits and one earned run in five innings of work to earn the win.

In game one, Drury's Kevin Sweeney allowed just three hits in five innings of action and Todd VanGerpen recorded the final six outs for the Panthers. Drury scored two runs in the first and added three runs in the third and fourth frames.

Pitt State will return to action Friday (Mar. 15) when the Gorillas open a three-game MIAA series against Southwest Baptist at Al Ortolani Field. The two teams will meet at 4 p.m. Friday for a single game and then return to the diamond for a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday (Mar. 16).