PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will open MIAA play by hosting Emporia State University in a three-game series. The Gorillas and Hornets will face one another in single games beginning Friday (Feb. 26) and running through Sunday (Feb. 28) at Al Ortolani Field. Friday's and Saturday's first pitch is set for 2 p.m. (CST) with Sunday's game slated for 1 p.m.

The Gorillas are 5-3 on the young season. Pitt State took three of four games from the University of Minnesota Duluth in their last action Feb. 19-21. The Hornets are 6-3 on the year. ESU took two of three games at Stephenville, Texas, against Tarleton State on Feb. 19-20.

Pitt State finished 13th in the MIAA standings with a 12-20 conference record a year ago, while ESU finished second with a 23-12 slate. Both teams were slotted in their same respective spots in the 2016 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Gorillas enter the weekend series with a .364 team batting average. Pitt State has averaged 8.9 runs per game.

Sophomore first baseman Andrew Vogelbaugh, who already has twice garned MIAA Hitter of the Week honors this season, leads the squad with a .562 batting average with 11 of his 18 hits going for extra bases. He has scored 14 runs and collected four doubles and six home runs while driving in a team-best 16 runs.

Senior third baseman Jacob Boylan also is hitting .441 with 11 runs scored, three home runs and 11 RBI, while redshirt freshman outfielder Brett Macary is hitting .424 with a team-leading seen doubles.

On the mound, the Gorillas carry a 9.14 team ERA. Relievers Ty Rowe (2-0, 5.40 ERA), Brandon Martinkus (1-1, 3.18 ERA) and Ryan McKay (1-0, 1.59 ERA, 3 saves) have provided stability out of the bullpen.

The Hornets are batting .297 and scoring 7.1 runs per game while maintaining a 3.55 team ERA.

Senior infielder Derek Francis is batting .400 with three home runs and 12 RBI to pace the ESU offense. Starters Tyler Stubblefield (1-0, 2.04 ERA) and Nathan Gieber (2-0, 3.27) and reliever Jordan Plank (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 save) all are off to solid starts to the 2016 campaign.

ESU holds a 67-34 advantage in the series. The Hornets took three of four games from the Gorillas at Emporia last year.