Pitt-Greensburg battled back from an early deficit and carried a late lead into the final innings, but Muskingum used a two-run eighth inning to slip past the Bobcats, 6-5, on Tuesday afternoon.

Pitt-Greensburg showed resilience throughout, collecting 11 hits and erasing an early three-run deficit, but couldn't hold off the Muskies late.

The Bobcats struck first in the opening inning. After a walk and hit-by-pitch set the table, Jonah Marks and Josh Preston delivered back-to-back singles, with Preston driving in the game's first run for a 1-0 lead.

Muskingum responded in the second inning, capitalizing on a hit batter, a throwing error, and timely hitting. A two-RBI double from Sam Palmieri highlighted a three-run frame that gave the hosts a 3-1 advantage.

Pitt-Greensburg answered in the third when Tommy Smith launched a solo home run to cut the deficit to 3-2. Smith finished a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a homer.

The Bobcats continued to chip away and eventually pulled even in the fifth inning. After an error put a runner aboard, Marks came through again with an RBI single to tie the game at 3-3.

Momentum fully shifted in the sixth. Hunter Gideons sparked the rally with a single and stolen base before Neo Miller delivered an RBI single to give Pitt-Greensburg the lead. Ben Aftanas followed with another RBI knock, extending the advantage to 5-3.

Starting pitcher Tyler Litts kept Muskingum in check through 5.2 innings, allowing just three runs while working out of multiple situations.

Muskingum began its comeback in the seventh with an RBI double from Josh Beavon to make it 5-4. The decisive blow came in the eighth inning. After a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt, Chase Cox tied the game with an RBI single. Moments later, Palmieri lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring the go-ahead run and giving Muskingum a 6-5 lead.

Pitt-Greensburg threatened in the eighth, putting runners on, but couldn't break through. In the ninth, Muskingum's Max Vosters closed the door with a pair of strikeouts to secure the win.

Gideons led the Bobcats offensively with three hits, while Marks added two hits and two RBIs. Preston and Miller each drove in a run as part of the balanced offensive effort.