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By RICK PETERSON

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Former Shawnee Heights baseball standout Dawson Pomeroy had no vote in Pittsburg State University's late decision to add a Tuesday night game against Washburn at Falley Field.

But Pomeroy was quick to take advantage of the opportunity to return to his old stomping grounds, going 2 for 4 with a two-run home run and two runs scored as the Gorillas improved to 16-7 with an 11-1 romp past the Ichabods.

"I was happy it happened, I was super happy,'' Pomeroy said of Tuesday's seven-inning contest, which did not count in the MIAA standings. "To come back home and play in front of some family and for some friends to be able to come out and watch was pretty cool.''  Former Shawnee Heights standout Dawson Pomeroy went 2 for 4 with a two-run home run in Pittsburg State's 11-1 win over Washburn Tuesday night. [File photo by Pittsburg State Athletics]

The highlight of the night for Pomeroy was his home run over the left-field fence in the Gorillas' five-run fourth inning, which broke open what had been a tight 2-1 game. It was Pomeroy's fourth round-tripper of the year.

"That was nice,'' he said. "I've been kind of in a slump, and it seems like at all our games the wind's been blowing in, so it was nice to finally get one out.''

Pittsburg State is the third stop in Pomeroy's college career, following stints at Barton County and Division I Campbell, and he has filled a variety of roles since joining Bob Fornelli's Gorillas last season.

Pomeroy, who fought through a hamstring injury earlier in the season, started at third base and finished at first Tuesday night and has also played left field and appeared in six games as a late-game relief pitcher, recording a team-high three saves while striking out 12 batters in seven innings of work.

"After I hurt my hamstring I started playing more third than anything,'' Pomeroy said. "I played some left field before I hurt my hamstring and then I'm also a late reliever guy, just if we need it, basically. If we need a big out, I'm there.''

Pomeroy was used primarily at shortstop and catcher at Shawnee Heights and said he appreciates the opportunity to play more than one position.

"I've been kind of doing that since I went to Barton County,'' he said. "I didn't really pitch at Shawnee Heights, but it's kind of a role I took on just because I could throw hard.

"At Barton County I started pitching more and then here Fornelli asked me if I could do it and I still do it.''

Pomeroy, who still has a year's eligibility remaining next season due to COVID-19, said that Pittsburg State has been a good fit for him.

"Coach Fornelli had just got the job when I committed to Campbell and it was between Pitt and Campbell,'' he said. "I wanted to chase that Division I dream and I ended up getting hurt the second game of the year. I didn't really like my role there -- I was more of a pitcher than a hitter -- and Coach Fornelli reached out when I got into the transfer portal and I just thought I was about t come here anyway.''

Tuesday was Pomeroy's first opportunity in his college career to play at Falley Field.

"I hadn't played at Washburn since high school fall ball or something like that, nothing that means anything, so to have a game that actually means something is pretty cool.''

Pittsburg State took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third before Washburn shortstop Xavier De Leon, who went 2 for 4 in the game, scored in the bottom of the inning on a throwing error.

The rest of the game was all Gorillas, however, with Pitt State following its five-run fourth with a run in the fifth and three in the sixth as PSU had 14 hits in the game.

Aaron Gerdes had three hits for the Gorillas while Pomeroy was one of three players with two hits.

Three Pittsburg State pitchers limited Washburn (8-16) to seven hits, with Zach Curry (2-2) going five innings for the win.

Washburn used six pitchers, with starter Joel Casillas (0-2) taking the loss.

PITTSBURG STATE 11, WASHBURN 1

Pittsburg State 002 513 0 -- 11 14 1

Washburn 001 000 0 -- 1 7 2

Curry, Westbrooks (6), Ingalls (7) and Murany, Hinton. Casillas, Sharp (3), Zamora (4), Bennett (5), Marreel (6), Huggins (7) and Bay, Jones. W -- Curry (2-2). L -- Casillas (0-2). 2B -- Pittsburg State: Carr, Gerdes. HR -- Pittsburg State: Pomeroy.