PITTSBURG, Kan. - Pittsburg State used an eight-run seventh inning to beat the Lincoln baseball team, 15-9, on Saturday (April 9).

Lincoln led the game off with three runs, including two on a homerun from Alex Ludwick that also scored Dillon Walker. Later in the frame, Daniel Castillo hit a double and scored on a base hit from Zach Anderson, giving LU the early 3-0 advantage.

The Blue Tigers shut the Gorillas out in the bottom of the first inning, but Pittsburg State brought in four runs on three hits in the second to take its first lead of the contest. The advantage did not last long, as Mason Price scored Ludwick on a triple in the top of the third. A single from Castillo brought in Price, putting the Blue Tigers back on top, 5-4.

Lincoln (1-32, 0-23 MIAA) maintained its one-run lead until the bottom of the sixth, when a double allowed the Gorillas to tie the game. Another double in the ensuing at-bat brought in two more runs, putting Pittsburg State (8-24, 3-20 MIAA) ahead, 7-5.

Nick Lovell led the seventh inning off with an infield single, then stole second and took third on a passed ball. A fielder's choice later brought Lovell home, pulling the Blue Tigers to within 7-6 of the Gorillas. In the bottom of the seventh, however, Pittsburg State scored eight runs on seven hits and an error to take control of the contest.

A solo homerun by Anderson got LU back on the board in the top of the eighth. Mike Million later got on base via a single, and took second on another base hit by Lovell. That brought up Walker, who cleared the bases with a triple to close the scoring.

Castillo led LU with three hits and Anderson, Lovell and Kaleb Davis each notched two. Cameron Massman and Zach Moore each recorded strikeouts on the mound. Davis had six putouts to lead the defense, and Jeffery Jackson was next with five while Lovell and Castillo each finished with three. Lovell also turned four assists while Kolton Clark had three.

Lincoln and Pittsburg State will close their season series on Sunday (April 10) with a 1:00 p.m. CDT game.