PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University softball team will host Winona State University in a doubleheader Friday (Mar. 17) at 1 p.m. (CDT) at the PSU Softball Complex.
 
Weather permitting, the Gorillas and Warriors may meet for a third contest Saturday (Mar. 18). Those details will be announced Friday evening.
 
The Gorillas originally were slated to play six games at the PSU Softball Complex, two each Friday through Sunday against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foes, but the threat of rain and cold weather altered the weekend schedule.

 
Scouting the Warriors

• The Warriors enter Friday's action with a 15-6 record. WSU competed in the Spring Games at Clermont, Fla., last week. The Warriors posted an 8-2 record in Florida.
• WSU is led on offensively by junior infielder Abbie Hlas. Hlas is hitting .378 with nine doubles, a triple and 13 RBI. 
• In the circle, the Warriors have a one-two punch in Hlas and Abby Smith. Smith has a 7-2 record and 1.42 ERA, striking out 27 hitters in 10 appearances. Hlas also has a 7-2 mark while holding opponent hitters to a .204 batting average in 60.2 innings pitched.

 
 Scouting the Gorillas

• The Gorillas bring a 16-8 overall record into Friday's twinbill. The Gorillas opened MIAA play last week by splitting a pair of doubleheaders. Pitt State was swept in two games by Central Missouri before the Gorillas bounced back to defeat Lincoln twice.
• The Gorillas offensive attack is led by senior second baseman Taylor Lambert and junior first baseman Paxtyn Hayes. Lambert has a .468 batting average with 37 hits, six doubles and a triple along with six RBI as the leadoff hitter. Hayes has provided pop in the Pitt State lineup, posting a team-leading nine home runs and 36 RBI with a .778 slugging percentage.
• In the circle, the Gorillas will throw junior Hannah Harrison and redshirt junior Lilli Weir. Harrison has a 7-3 record with a 2.35 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched. Weir is 8-4 on the season with 52 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched.