PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will return to Al Ortolani Field to open a three-game series against MIAA rival Northwest Missouri State University Friday (Mar. 31). First pitch is set for 6 p.m. (CDT).

The Gorillas and Bearcats also will play 1 p.m. games Saturday (Apr. 1) and Sunday (Apr. 2).

Pitt State will seek to halt a two-game losing streak Friday. The Gorillas are 12-19 overall and 6-11 in MIAA play. Pitt State dropped an 11-6 road decision to Northeastern State University in its last action Tuesday (Mar. 28).

Northwest is 17-10 overall and 6-8 in MIAA action. The Bearcats halted a two-game slide with an 8-2 victory over the University of Nebraska-Kearney Tuesday (Mar. 28).

Pitt State is batting .313 as a team and scoring 7.7 runs per game, while its opponents are batting .300 and averaging 7.7 runs per game. The Gorillas have a 6.63 team ERA.

Junior second baseman Dallas Reed leads the squad with a .411 batting average ranking fifth in the MIAA in hitting. He has scored 40 runs, hit 12 doubles, six home runs and driven in 37 runs. Reed leads the MIAA in runs scored, ranks fourth in RBIs and fifth in doubles. He has hit safely in 27 of 31 games and has an 11-game hitting streak entering Friday's action.

Junior shortstop Colton Pogue is hitting .385 with 13 doubles, seven home runs and 35 RBIs. He has scored 36 runs. He ranks ninth in the MIAA in batting average, fourth in runs scored, second in doubles, seventh in home runs and fifth in RBIs. Pogue had a season-best 16-game hitting streak snapped against NSU Tuesday.

Junior outfielder Hunter Clanin is hitting. 353 on the season. He shares the team lead in doubles (13) with Pogue. Junior outfielder Andrew Vogelbaugh also has belted seven home runs and driven in 33 runs on hte season.

Junior righthander Cody Whiting (3-4, 6.00 ERA) won his last start against the University of Central Oklahoma, allowing just two earned runs and registering nine strikeouts against the Bronchos. Junior righthander Ethan Vanderpool (1-3, 5.68 ERA) and sophomore righthander Dante Richardson (1-1, 4.91) also figure to start on the mound in the series for the Gorillas.

Junior lefthander Cooper Gardner (4-1, 6.29 ERA) leads the squad in victories and appearances (19). Senior righthander Ty Rowe (2-0) has a team-leading 3.56 ERA in 15 appearances.