TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn baseball lost its series opener against Pittsburg State on Friday afternoon, 14-3. Game two of the three-game set will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Falley Field.
 
After three scoreless innings, Pittsburg State (28-17, 21-10 MIAA) got things started in a big way in the fourth as the Gorillas scored six runs on six hits.
 
Washburn (28-17, 18-13 MIAA) cut the deficit in half in the fifth inning. Easton Bruce drew a leadoff walk and then scored on Cale Savage's double to left center. Kros Bay hit a single through the left side to put runners on the corners and Trevor McCollum loaded up the bases when he was hit by the pitch. With the wind blowing strong, Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli hit a ball into the air that dropped in for a single in right field which allowed Savage to score. Cal Watkins got an RBI on a sacrifice fly to right field to make it a 6-3 game.
 
The Gorillas increased their lead to 9-3 in the following inning and plated three runs on four hits, including a pair of triples.
 
Pittsburg State tacked on five more runs in the top of the seventh to grab the 14-3 double-digit advantage before retiring the Ichabods in order in the home half of the frame.
 
The Gorillas led in hits, 17-6, and had five extra base hits. Savage went 1-3 with a double, RBI, and scored once. Bruce and Bay also had one hit apiece and scored once.
 
Casey Steward (5-2) was tabbed with the loss after allowing nine runs on 12 hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings.