PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will open MIAA play with a three-game series against Southwest Baptist University starting Friday (Feb. 22) at Al Ortolani Field.

The Gorillas and Bearcats will open the series at 3 p.m. (CST) Friday. Due to the threat of inclement weather, the start times and start date for games two and three will be announced Friday.

Pitt State enters the series with a 5-4 overall record. The Gorillas split a twinbill against Winona State University in their last action last Sunday (Feb. 17). The Gorillas are averaging 5.6 runs per game and batting .235 as a team on the young season. Pitt State pitchers have a 4.98 team ERA with 79 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings of work.

Senior designated hitter Reece Garvie leads the team with a .398 batting average. He has smacked seven doubles and driven in nine runs. Junior first baseman Ty Herenbruck is batting .281 with a team-leading eight runs scored, four home runs and 11 RBIs.

Senior lefthander Brad Kinsey (1-0, 2.08 ERA) and senior righthander Alex Achtermann (1-2, 5.84 ERA) each have made three starts on the mound for the Gorillas. Junior righthander Brendan Stanek (1-0, 7.45 ERA) has made a pair of starts.

SBU also has a 5-4 overall record. The Bearcats swept a doubleheader against Maryville University in their last action on Feb. 14 claiming 19-4 and 8-5 decisions. SBU is averaging 7.2 runs per game and batting .310 as a team. Bearcat pitchers have a 7.48 team ERA.

Senior outfielder Carl Schwettmann is batting .361 with four doubles, three home runs and 14 RBIs on the season. Junior lefthander Dalton Morrow has a 1-1 record and a 1.80 ERA in three starts for the Bearcats, while junior righthander Drew Wagner is 2-0 with a 3.68 ERA in three starts on the mound.