Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Pittsburg State Gorillas scored 14 runs in the sixth inning to get past Nebraska-Kearney, 17-7 (7 innings), Friday afternoon at Memorial Field.

This was the opening game of a four-game series. The Gorillas improve to 6-12 (3-6) while the Lopers fall to 14-10 (8-5).  

UNK led 5-3 after five full innings thanks to a two-run single by senior second baseman Coby Roming (4 for 4, two runs) and a two-run double by senior third baseman Danny Droll (2 for 3, three RBI's).

However, Pitt batted around twice in its half of the sixth, scoring 14 times on 11 hits (four doubles and two homers), a walk, hit batter and a Loper error. First baseman Andrew Vogelbaugh (2 for 4, three RBI's) and third baseman Jack Mercer (1 for 3) each hit two-run dingers in the big inning with DH Chase Cleland (1 for 2, two runs) batting three times.

The Gorillas ended with 16 hits, nine going for extra bases. From the two hole, left fielder Andrew Kreiling went 3 for 4 with two runs and a team-high four RBI's. Pitt used five different pitchers with reliever Nick Brandecker going 1.2 innings to earn his first win of 2015.

"In the MIAA, if you don't execute and do the things you need to do, you're not going to win many ball games," said UNK head coach Damon Day. "It's a frustrating situation to put ourselves in (losing on Friday's). But, they can't take it with him and start tomorrow with a 10-run lead. We have bounced back well this year."

Besides Roming and Droll, senior DH Dillon Schroeder (Kearney) went 3 for 3 with a run and an RBI.

The two teams play a double header Saturday beginning at noon.