PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will travel to Hays, Kan., to open MIAA this weekend with a three-game series against Fort Hays State University. The Gorillas and Tigers will meet in a doubleheader Saturday (Feb. 27) starting at Noon (CST) at Larks Park. The two teams will wrap up the series with a Noon game Sunday (Feb. 28).

Pitt State is 3-0 on the young season. The Gorillas scored three non-conference home wins last week over Missouri Western (17-12), Northwest Missouri (20-2) and Minot State (4-2). Fort Hays State is off to an 0-4 start to the season. The Tigers dropped all four games in a road series against Metropolitan State University-Denver last weekend.

Offensively, the Gorillas are hitting .349 and averaging 13.7 runs per game. Pitt State hitters have compiled 16 extra-base hits thus far, including seven home runs. The Gorillas also have stolen nine bases through their first three games.

Junior first baseman Garrett McGowan is batting .545 with eight runs scored, two doubles, four home runs and 11 RBIs, while senior outfielder Ryan Koval is hitting .417 with three doubles, a triple and seven RBIs. McGowan was named the MIAA Hitter of the Week Tuesday (Feb. 22) after his belted two home runs and drove in six runs in the Gorillas' season opening victory over MWSU Monday.

Pitt State pitchers have a 5.76 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 25.0 innings of work.