PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University baseball team will open the 2018 season this weekend (Feb. 2-4) with a three-game series against the University of Arkansas-Monticello.
 
The Gorillas and Weevils will play single contests each day at 1 p.m. (CST) at Weevils Field at Monticello, Ark.
 
The Gorillas return eight position players that started 20 or more games in 2017 as well as three pitchers with nine or more starts on the mound and seven hurlers overall with 14 or more appearances last year.
 
Pitt State posted a 23-27 overall record in 2017, including a 17-19 mark in MIAA play. The Gorillas finished ninth in the conference standings ­– one game out of qualifying for the MIAA Tournament.
 
Pitt State was picked to finish sixth in the 2018 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll released Wednesday (Jan. 31).
 
The Gorillas return seven All-MIAA performers from the 2017 season:  senior outfielder Hunter Clanin (.347/17 2Bs/8 HRs/48 RBIs), senior relief pitcher Cooper Gardner (7-2/5.33 ERA/54 Ks), senior catcher T.J. Martin (.305/3 HRs/14RBIs), senior shortstop Colton Pogue (.354/18 2Bs/9 HRs/ 51 RBIs), senior second baseman Dallas Reed (.373/17 2Bs/8 HRs/51 RBIs), senior outfielder Andrew Vogelbaugh (.333/14 HRs/52 RBIs) and senior starting pitcher Cody Whiting (4-6/ 5.35 ERA/81 Ks).
 
Pitt State is under the direction of second-year head coach Tom Myers. Myers has a 334-118 record in eight seasons as a collegiate coach. He compiled a 311-91 record in seven years at MIAA rival UCM (2009-15), leading the Mules to four MIAA regular season titles, four MIAA Tournament crowns and three NCAA Division II Regional championships.
 
UAM posted a 33-21 overall record in 2017, including an 18-6 home mark. The Weevils claimed their second straight GAC Tournament Championship, qualifying for the 2017 NCAA Division II Central Regional at Emporia, Kan. UAM posted a 1-2 mark in the NCAA Tournament.