PITTSBURG, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State baseball team completed the three-game series at Pittsburg State Sunday, knocking off the Gorillas by scoring eight unanswered runs and winning the game 9-1.

Stellar pitching by junior Joe Funkhouser, freshman Gibson Brown and freshman Max Ross contributed heavily to the victory for the Bearcats (10-12, 6-6 MIAA).
Funkhouser pitched five innings, allowing one run on six hits and striking out four. Brown pitched two and 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four. Ross finished off the game on the mound for the Bearcats by not allowing a run in his one and 1/3 inning outing while striking out four Pittsburg State batters.

After a quiet first inning, both teams got on the board in the second inning scoring one run apiece.

Northwest notched five runs in the top of the fourth, initiated by sophomore Matt Gastner drawing a leadoff walk. Successful small ball play advanced Bearcat baserunners around the diamond, scoring five runs and only leaving one stranded.

The Bearcats added three more in the top of the sixth to increase their lead to 9-1 over the Gorillas. Northwest had four base hits in the inning.

Northwest improves to 10-12 on the season, while Pittsburg State falls to 12-10 on the year.

Northwest will be back in action Tuesday, March 22nd against Missouri Southern in Maryville (weather/field conditions permitting). Earlier in the season, the Lions defeated the Bearcats, 12-5.

— Northwest Athletics —