PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team host Missouri Western State University for a three-game MIAA series beginning Thursday (Apr. 18). The Gorillas and Griffons will meet under the lights at Al Ortolani Field at 6 p.m. (CDT) Thursday, before facing off in afternoon action Friday (Apr. 19) at 2 p.m. and Saturday (Apr. 20) at Noon.
Prior to first pitch Saturday, the Pitt State coaching staff will honor the outgoing senior members of the Gorillas squad.
Thursday's series opener can be heard on ESPN 100.7 FM radio, online at espn1007.com/go or through the ESPN 100.7 or KSHQ app for phones or mobile devices.
Pitt State brings a 21-17 overall record into the weekend series. The Gorillas, who have won seven of their last eight games, are 13-11 in the MIAA and tied for sixth place (with Lindenwood and Northwest Missouri) in the MIAA standings. MWSU is 17-15 overall, 14-10 in the MIAA and tied for fourth place in the conference (with Central Oklahoma).
Pitt State claimed a 9-3 non-conference victory over Arkansas Tech University at Arvest Ballpark at Springdale, Ark., in its most recent action Tuesday (Apr. 16).
The Gorillas enter the weekend series averaging 5.5 runs per game and batting .244 as a team. Pitt State pitchers have a 4.01 ERA with 315 strikeouts in 334.7 innings on the season and the Gorillas defense is fielding .972 on the season. Pitt State ranks second in the MIAA in team ERA and fielding percentage.
Junior outfielder Chaz Burgess leads the squad with a .301 batting average. He has seven doubles, five home runs and 20 RBIs in 29 games played. Senior utility player Alex Achtermann also is batting .292 with three home runs and 19 RBIs, while senior third baseman John Oliver is hitting .260 with six home runs and 30 RBIs.
Senior lefthander Brad Kinsey (5-1, 3.45 ERA) and Achtermann (4-5, 3.73), a righthander, both have made 11 starts on the mound for the Gorillas. Senior righthander Brendan Stanek (3-1, 5.63 ERA) also has made eight starts for Pitt State. In the bullpen, senior righthander Dante Richardson (1-1, 3.70 ERA), redshirt freshman righthander Justin Root (1-1, 3.03 ERA) and sophomore lefthander Tanner Lane (2-3, 6 saves, 2.67 ERA) all have made 11 or more appearances.
