Pittsburg, Kan. – The Bearcats opened a three game series with MIAA opponent Pittsburg State. The Gorillas took game one Friday afternoon by a score of 9-6. SBU's record moves to 5-5 (0-1 MIAA) on the year.
 
Caleb Sneed was the first batter in the game, drawing one of his four walks of the afternoon. He would later advance to second on a wild pitch and attempted to score on a single by Carl Schwettmann, but he was thrown out at home. Drew Wagner got the call to pitch game one of the series. Pitt State was able to get two men on in the bottom of the first, but a double play ended the inning. To lead things off in the second, Blake Hobbs reached on a single, followed by a Blake Lutgen walk. SBU was able to load the bases, but unable to bring any runs home.
 
The home team struck first, scoring 3 runs in the third inning, and another 3 runs in the fourth. In the top of the fifth, Caleb Sneed reached on another walk, and was moved over thanks to a Hunter Hisky single. It was then Jackson Soule who drove in Sneed on a single up the middle, cutting the PSU lead to 6-1. The Gorillas plated two more in their half of the fifth, 8-1. The Bearcats got off to a hot start in the sixth, the first three batters reaching on singles. Tyler Mathys led off the inning, followed by Brett Mitchell, and Luke Winfrey. It was Caleb Sneed drawing another walk and picking up an RBI, bringing the score to 8-2. Jackson Soule followed with a clutch two RBI single to left, bringing SBU within 4. Pittsburg State scored once more in the sixth.
 
The Bearcats got the offense going again in the 8^th, plating two more runs. Brett Mitchell singled to lead off the inning, following by Luke Winfrey who singled as well. Caleb Sneed walked to load the bases, and Hunter Hisky drove in Mitchell on a sacrifice fly. The second run was scored on a fielder's choice. SBU was unable to score again, creating a final score of 9-6 in favor of the Gorillas.
 
Brett Mitchell led the way offensively for SBU, going 3-4 and scoring 2 runs. Luke Winfrey, Blake Hobbs, and Jackson Soule each went 2-4, and Soule picked up 4 RBIs in the loss.
 
The Bearcats will play the Gorillas again on Saturday, first pitch to be thrown at 3 PM.