PITTSBURG, Kan. — Missouri Southern baseball (16-11, 11-6 MIAA) fell to top ranked Pittsburg State (26-3, 15-3 MIAA) with a final score of 12-6 Wednesday at Al Ortolani Field. Despite the loss, MSSU managed to hit three home runs in the contest.
Missouri Southern now has a record of 16-11 and is 11-6 in the MIAA conference. PSU holds a 26-3 record and is 15-3 in the MIAA conference.
Brayden Luikart opened the scoring for Southern with a solo home run to left field in the top of the first inning. Pittsburg State responded in its half of the inning with a two-run homer by Grant Nottlemann, giving the Gorillas a 2-1 lead after the first.
In the third inning,
Will Potter reached on a throwing error, and
Aiden Hinkle capitalized with a two-run homer, bringing MSSU ahead briefly. The Gorillas answered with a three-run homer from Dagen Brewer, reclaiming a 5-3 advantage by the end of the third.
Pittsburg State extended its lead significantly in the fourth inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Eric Bacon and a solo homer from Brewer, tallying five runs to make it 10-3.
MSSU added a run in the fifth when Hinkle walked and scored on
Blake Jones' double, but the score remained 10-4 as Pittsburg State was held scoreless in their half.
In the seventh, Luikart hit his second home run of the game, and
Jacob Filip added an RBI single, reducing the deficit to 11-6. However, Pittsburg State added another run in its half, maintaining a 12-6 lead.
Southern was unable to mount a further comeback, and the game concluded with the Gorillas securing a 12-6 victory.
Hinkle contributed with two runs and two RBI, hitting a home run to boost the team's offense.
Luikart was effective at the plate, tallying three hits, including two home runs, and driving in two runs while scoring twice. The St. Joseph, Missouri, native, belted a home run in his fourth-straight game. It also marked his second career game at MSSU with two homers.
Jones added one run and an RBI with a double among his two hits. Filip collected two hits and an RBI, maintaining pressure on the opposing defense.
Keaton Anderson started the game for the Lions, pitching 2 1/3 innings and allowing five runs on five hits, including two home runs, while striking out two batters.
Carter Stover came in as a reliever, pitching an inning and giving up five runs on five hits with two strikeouts, while also issuing two walks.
Gabe Perry went 2/3 of an inning, allowing no hits or runs.
Jackson Gamble pitched two innings, giving up two hits and striking out three, maintaining a clean slate without allowing any runs.
Marcus Young followed with 1 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and issuing three walks. Finally,
Caden Carter closed the pitching efforts with 2/3 of an inning, giving up one hit and recording one strikeout.
MSSU next heads to Arkansas Fort Smith for a three-game MIAA series beginning on Friday. Game times are 1 p.m., CT for the series in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
