PITTSBURG, Kan. -- For the second year in a row, Pittsburg State head softball coach Elizabeth Economon takes her team to open the season at the Sain Leo Invitational in Saint Leo, Fla. on Saturday and Sunday, February 16-17.
The Gorillas open the season against Northwood University at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The Seahawks are 0-8 on the season with four losses to Barry University and doubleheader losses to Indian River State and Miami Dade.
Pitt State follows with a 5 p.m. game against the host school. The Lions are already 6-5 on the season, including two wins over Pitt State's conference opponent, Lindenwood.
On Sunday, the Gorillas will play Tarleton State at 2:45 p.m. and Tampa at 5 p.m. The TexAnns are 6-3 on the season and have won their last six games after losing the first three. The Tampa Spartans are 4-1. Their one loss came at the hands of Palm Beach Atlantic.
Pittsburg State returns 14 letterwinners from their 29-28 2012 season, including eight starters and three pitchers. Four of those players hit over .300 last season, inclduing sophomore Cheslyn Mitchell who hit .405 and led the team with 21 doubles in her freshman season. Another top returner is Tiffany Brown who hit .390 with a .733 slugging percentage, 15 home runs and 51 RBI. Leadoff hitter and outfielder Brenna George also returns her .347 batting average and team-leading 22 stolen bases.
Providing leadership on the field for Pitt State will be its three seniors, Kreslee Ketcham, Katelyn Birchfield and Kayla Sears. Ketcham hit .308 as a junior and has been a three-year starter at catcher and first base. Birchfield and Sears have also seen starting time throughout their careers. Birchfield started 34 games last season. Sears started 36 games, primarily at third base.
Jessica Barnes in the top returner on the pitching staff. Last season she had a 6-5 record with one save and a 2.40 ERA in 28 appearances. This year she will be aided by three newcomers, Kylie Harpst, Kyndel Shelburn and Haleigh Sills, and Samantha Grove, who redshirted the 2012 season.
