PITTSBURG, Kan. — No. 5 Rogers State Baseball (37-10, 25-8 MIAA) fell to No. 7 Pittsburg State (37-8, 24-8 MIAA) in a back-and-forth 10–9 defeat on Sunday at Al Ortolani Field. RSU delivered two home runs and scored six runs in the third inning, but a ground-rule double by the Gorillas in the ninth sealed the outcome.

The Gorillas took an early lead in the first inning with an RBI single from Isaac Webb, making it 1–0.

The Hillcats responded in the second inning. Andrew Ramirez walked and advanced on a sacrifice, later scoring on Trevor Spainhoward's groundout to tie the game at 1–1.

The third inning saw significant action from both teams. RSU erupted for six runs, starting with Luis Fuentes' single, followed by Nathan Gutierrez's single. Andres Contreras' RBI single and Ramirez's RBI single set the stage for Zak Nelson's run on a fielding error by the PSU pitcher. Jake Mitchell's RBI groundout and Spainhoward's (5) two-run homer extended the lead to 7–1. The Gorillas countered with three runs, including Cooper Wesslund's two-RBI single, narrowing the gap to 7–4.

In the fourth inning, Pittsburg State added two more runs on a hit-by-pitch RBI and a wild pitch, closing in at 7–6.

The fifth inning was pivotal for the Gorillas with three runs scored, including Dagen Brewer's two-RBI single, putting them ahead 9–7.

The Cats' managed to score in the seventh inning when Ramirez singled in Gutierrez, cutting the deficit to 9–8.

In the ninth inning, Gutierrez (10) hit a solo home run to right field, but Pittsburg State added a run with Eric Bacon's ground-rule double, sealing the game at 10–9 in favor of the Gorillas.

Spencer Hatch started for RSU, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing four earned runs on six hits, with two walks and one strikeout. Mason Trotter followed, also pitching 2.1 innings, yielding five earned runs on four hits, with four strikeouts and two wild pitches. Ricardo Landeros faced two batters without recording an out, allowing two hits. Michael Klein (2-1) concluded the pitching efforts with a strong performance, throwing four innings and allowing one earned run on one hit, while striking out one and issuing two walks, but was charged with the decision. 

Gutierrez led the effort with a home run and a double, tallying four hits and scoring three runs. Spainhoward contributed significantly by hitting a home run and driving in three runs with his two hits. Ramirez added two hits and drove in two runs, scoring twice himself.

RSU Baseball will wrap up the regular season next weekend against Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Missouri. Friday's series opener from the MWSU Spring Sports Complex is slated for a 6 p.m. first pitch.