ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western baseball (13-29, 11-20 MIAA) battled with the 17th-ranked Gorillas (34-9, 22-9 MIAA) for 11 innings, but came up just short in the 5-1 series-opening loss on Friday night at the Spring Sports Complex.
 
Junior Lynden Bruegman delivered a stellar performance on the mound in the 6.0 innings no-decision. The Lincoln, Nebraska, native struck out a career-high 10 batters, including five consecutive strikeouts in the fifth and sixth innings. He allowed only one hit and one earned run in his 10th start of the season.
 
Junior Lou Levy also contributed with 3.0 innings on the mound, recording four strikeouts and allowing only one hit.
 
After trailing for 5.1 innings, the Griffons finally scored in the sixth with a sacrifice bunt from Carson Shear. The game remained tied at 1-1 until the 11th inning, when Pitt State scored four runs (three earned) on two hits, claiming a 5-1 victory.
 
Missouri Western outhit Pittsburg State 8-4, with Anthony Taggart and Jett Grossart each contributing two hits. Jackson Bryant added the only extra-base hit for the Griffons with a double in the eighth.
 
Cooper Crouch (4-2) earned the winning pitching decision, while Jacob Ross (1-2) took the loss.
 
The second game of the series is scheduled for tomorrow at Griffon Park at 4:00 p.m.