PITTSBURG -- Over the next four days, the Pitt State Softball team will host three doubleheaders against a top-5 school and two in-state conference foes.
 
In addition to six exciting softball games, the Gorillas will also host two fun events. On Friday, Pitt State Softball, in cooperation with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will host Bark in the Park. Fans are encouraged to bring their pets to the softball and baseball games. The SEK Humane Society will also be on hand from 4-6 p.m. with some of their dogs currently available for adoption. All pets must be on leashes. On Saturday, Pitt State Athletics will host an Easter Egg Hunt for all kids ages 2-12 at 1:30 p.m. between the baseball and softball fields.
 
The Gorillas face off against Arkansas Tech on Wednesday (March 23) starting at 3 p.m. The team ranks No. 5 in the latest NFCA Coach's poll with a 25-2 record. After a falling to Missouri Southern (0-2) in the Southeastern Shootout, the team exploded on a 19-game winning before Oklahoma Baptist handed the Golden Suns their second loss of the season, 0-3.
 
Jalissa Gum is paramount to the Golden Suns' success. The pitcher posts a 0.77 ERA, with 87 strikeouts and a 9-0 record, bringing in the latest GAC Pitcher of the Week accolades. The team is hitting  .339 overall with with 40 doubles, nine triples and 18 homers.
 
The first pitch against Emporia State (15-16 overall, 4-2 MIAA) will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday (March 25). The team recently went 1-5 in the Missouri Western State Crossover and sought one win from Wayne State College, 8-7. The Hornets hit .308 collectively and mark a .450 slugging clip.
 
A Washburn doubleheader will round off the week on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. The Ichabods are currently 12-12 overall and 3-5 in the MIA, most recently going 4-5 in the Apple Market Regional Crossover. MSU-Mankato shut out the Ichabods early in the tournament (0-6).

The team features an NFCA Division II National Player of the Week (March 9) in Taylor Zimmerman. The second baseman has crushed 10 homeruns this season, five of which were within a two-day span. She's also batted in 26 runners and holds a .712 slugging percentage. Cassidy Merriman adds 17 RBIs and is .375 from the plate. The Ichabod pitchers combine for a 3.46 ERA in 147.2 innings.
 
Emmie Robertson was named the MIAA Pitcher of the Week for the second week this season. She leads the Gorilla pitching staff with a 1.81 ERA and a 13-3 record. Her 137 strikeouts is tops in the league. The sophomore holds opponents to a .171 batting average, also a conference-best. Morgan Myers contributes 48 total strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA with an 8-4 record.
 
Sierra Hall is among three Gorilla sluggers hitting above .300 this season. Her .408 batting average is the team-high, adding 29 hits and 16 runs for the Gorillas. Katy Remy (.388) and Jenna Bolton (.319) average a .560 slugging percentage and 19 RBIs apiece.