PITTSBURG, Kan. – Truman State could not replicate the successful manufacture of a first-inning run and fell to Pittsburg State (Kan.) by a 6-1 Opening Day final.
 
True to Head Coach Dan Davis's plan to rely less on the long ball in '25, sophomore center fielder Colin Mueth led off the season with a single and stolen base then scored on a ground out to third by junior Rawlins Brant. Despite getting only the one run in the frame, sophomore Dakota Joggerst and junior Tyler Tieman kept pressure on Gorilla starter Maddox Thornton with each 'Dog recording two-out singles.
 
"That is the offense we foresee with this group," Davis said. "We have some athletic dudes who can handle that bat, run the bases well, and play team baseball on offense."
 
The lead proved to be short lived as Pittsburg State answered with two runs in the bottom of the first on three hits including two doubles. The Gorillas brought the sticks to tag junior Bulldog starter Isaac Epp for four two-baggers and a home run in five innings pitched. A three-run Pittsburg State fifth on a run-scoring double followed by a two-run home run effectively put the game out of reach.
 
"Epp is a winner plain and simple. He didn't have his best stuff today but battled and kept a good offense in check for the most part including escaping a bases-loaded jam in the second giving up the one run with the bases juiced," Davis said. "The only time Pitt State hitters got to him was when he missed up in the zone."
 
Epp gave up six total but surrendered just one walk against three Pitt State strikeouts in taking the loss. Redshirt freshman Warner Lenahan notched three clean innings working in relief for his first action for the Purple and White.
 
"Warner was lights out today. He pitched to his strengths and had success. Really fun to watch him get his first innings under his belt," Davis said.
 
Mueth finished the day 2-4 at the plate with a run scored and stolen base. Junior backstop Alex Wittenauer and redshirt freshman designated hitter Ian Thornton each recorded singles to finish the day 1-3 at the plate.
 
"We did a good job getting on base against a good staff but didn't get that clutch hit with runners in scoring position. Pitching-wise, we held a pretty good offensive team down but Pitt State got those clutch hits when they needed them," Davis said. "Our guys get a B+ in this first game out. It was good to see the guys play on Opening Day and use that energy to get the first game under our belt."
 
The 0-1 Bulldogs and 4-0 Gorillas go at it again tomorrow in a double dip with 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. first pitches. The series wraps Sunday at noon.