PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will open its 2022 season Sunday (Feb. 6) when the Gorillas travel to Edmond, Okla., to take part in the University of Central Oklahoma First Pitch Classic.

Pitt State will play three games over three days between Sunday and Tuesday against NCAA Division II Central Region foes. The Gorillas will make their season debut at Noon (CST) Sunday against Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Pitt State will battle Oklahoma Baptist University Monday (Feb. 7) at 3 p.m. and wrap up the action with a 2 p.m. match-up Tuesday (Feb. 8) against Northern State University.
 
The First Pitch Classic originally was scheduled to start today (Feb. 4) but the action was pushed back two days due to the winter snowstorm that has impacted the region.

The Gorillas posted a 30-16 overall record in 2021 with a 21-12 mark in MIAA play. Pitt State advanced to the championship game of the 2021 MIAA Postseason Tournament before falling to eventual national runner-up University of Central Missouri.
 
The Gorillas return seven position players who started 40 or more games a year ago as well as six pitchers who made nine or more appearances last season. Seven players who earned All-MIAA honors in 2021 return for the 2022 campaign:  senior infielder Cruz Aranda (.321 BA, 41 runs, 40 RBIs), junior outfielder Aaron Gerdes (.346 BA, 11 doubles, 27 RBIs), senior infielder Mason Hartman (.252 BA, 34 runs, 20 SBs), senior pitcher Peyton Ingalls (7-1, 4.92 ERA, 59 Ks), sophomore outfielder Ryan Koval (.320 BA, 38 runs, 35 RBIs), senior infielder Garrett McGowan (.265 BA, 44 runs, 10 doubles, 15 HRs, 48 RBIs) and senior infielder/pitcher Dawson Pomeroy (.259 BA, 7 HRs, 24 RBIs; 3-0, 1.37 ERA, 6 Sv).
 
Head coach Bob Fornelli enters his fourth season leading the Gorillas. Fornelli ranks in the top 15 among active NCAA Division II coaches in victories (980) and winning percentage (.698) with a 980-424 record in 25 seasons as a collegiate head coach.