PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will open the 2019 season this weekend (Feb. 1-3) with a three-game stretch at the Edmond First Pitch Classic in Edmond, Okla. 
 
Pitt State makes its season debut Friday (Feb. 1) at 10 a.m. against Oklahoma Christian University. The Gorillas then face Southwestern Oklahoma State University at 7 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 2). The Gorillas will close out the three-day action Sunday (Feb. 3) with a 4 p.m. game against Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
 
The Gorillas return two position players that started 20 or more games in 2018 as well as five pitchers with nine or more appearances on the mound.
 
Senior designated hitter/infielder Reece Garvie earned first-team All-MIAA honors a year ago. He batted .355 with 11 doubles, four home runs and 40 RBIs.
 
Pitt State's roster also was bolstered by the addition of 2018 MIAA Player of the Year Alex Achtermann. Achtermann transferred to Pitt State in August after MIAA rival University of Nebraska-Kearney discontinued its baseball program.
 
Achtermann led the conference with a .419 batting average and .732 slugging percent. He recorded 83 hits, 57 RBIs and hit 15 home runs. Achtermann also made 10 appearances as a pitcher with a 6-1 record for the Lopers.
 
Pitt State posted a 33-21 overall record in 2018, including a 23-13 mark in MIAA play. The Gorillas finished fourth in the conference standings – qualifying for the NCAA Division II Central Regional with an at-large bid. It marked Pitt State's first NCAA postseason appearance since 2002 and the program's fifth NCAA berth overall.
 
Pitt State was picked to finish third in the 2019 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll released Thursday (Jan. 31).
 
The Gorillas are under the direction of first-year head coach Bob Fornelli. Fornelli has a 905-379 record in 22 seasons as a collegiate coach. He compiled a 599-266 record in 15 years at MIAA rival Emporia State University (2004-18). Prior to that, he posted a 306-113 record in seven years at Fort Hays State University.