PITTSBURG, Kan. — No. 5 Rogers State Baseball (37-8, 25-6 MIAA) fell to No. 7 Pittsburg State (35-8, 22-8 MIAA) in a close 3–2 contest on Friday at Al Ortolani Field. 

Zach Horwith delivered a strong performance for the Cats' in his 12th start of the season, pitching 6.0 innings without allowing an earned run. He threw 98 pitches, with 62 strikes, giving up seven hits and three walks while striking out one batter in the no-decision. 

RSU took a two-run lead in the fifth inning when Nathan Gutierrez doubled down the right field line and later scored on a bunt single by Luis Fuentes, aided by a throwing error. Trevor Spainhoward, who reached on a hit by pitch, also scored on a single from Kade Goeke. 

The Gorillas responded in the sixth inning with their first run, when Dagen Brewer reached on a throwing error and later scored on an RBI single by Cooper Wesslund.

In the eighth inning, the Gorillas tied the game with Eric Bacon's double followed by Grant Nottlemann's RBI single, bringing the score to 2–2 after eight innings.

Pittsburg State secured the win in the ninth inning as Brett Sarwinski, a pinch runner, scored on a throwing error during a sacrifice bunt.

Ricardo Landeros (0-1) came in as a reliever, pitching 2.0 innings and allowing one earned run on two hits and three walks, while striking out a pair. 

At the plate, Andres Contreras contributed with two hits, including a double. Gutierrez scored a run and added a double to his performance. Fuentes collected two hits and drove in one run. 

RSU and PSU will run it back tomorrow, with Game 2 scheduled to begin at 2 PM at Al Ortolani Field.