PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will travel to Edmond, Okla., to open the 2024 season in the sixth annual University of Central Oklahoma First Pitch Classic.
 
The Gorillas are one of six teams competing in the nine-game event over three days beginning Thursday (Feb. 1). The host school, UCO, and MIAA rival Emporia State University are joined in the field by Great American Conference members Oklahoma Baptist University and East Central University. Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference member New Mexico Highlands University rounds out the field.
 
Pitt State will make its season debut Thursday at 11 a.m. (CST) against Oklahoma Baptist. The Gorillas also will face East Central at 12:30 p.m. Friday (Feb. 2), New Mexico Highlands at 2 p.m. Saturday and East Central at 2 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 4).
 
The Gorillas, the No. 3 pick in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, posted a 33-20 overall record and a 21-12 mark in MIAA play in 2023. Pitt State advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 MIAA Postseason Tournament.
 
The Gorillas return a pair of All-American performers from 2023 in senior catcher Nixon Brannan and senior shortstop Cade Clemons.

Brannan (San Angelo, Texas) started 50 games a year ago for the Gorillas, batting .391 with 50 runs scored, 22 doubles, 15 home runs and 69 RBI. He earned first-team All-MIAA honors and was selected the MIAA Co-Most Valuable Player of the Year. Brannan ranked second in the MIAA in RBI and doubles (tie), fourth in batting average and seventh in home runs. He set a school record with a 22-game hitting streak between Mar. 14 and Apr. 21.

Clemons (Lee's Summit, Mo.) started 50 of 52 games played past last spring, hitting .335 with 13 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs and 52 RBI. He was named a second-team All-MIAA selection, ranking third in the MIAA in home runs.
 
Junior outfielder Karson Coffee (2nd team), senior infielder Daegan Brady (hon. mention), junior infielder Austin Warkins (hon. mention), junior starting pitcher Tanner Leslie (hon. Mention) and junior relief pitcher Parker Weddle (hon. Mention) also earned All-MIAA honors in 2023.

Coffee (Bentonville, Ark.) hit .347 with 47 runs scored, 22 doubles, 11 home runs and 47 RBI, while Warkins (Haysville, Kan.) batted .411 with 59 runs scored, 24 doubles, seven home runs and 39 RBI. Brady (Topeka) hit .269 with nine doubles and 19 RBI.

Leslie (Haysville, Kan.) made eight starts in 18 overall appearances, posting a 4-4 record with a 4.82 ERA in 70.2 innings of work. Weddle (Kansas City, Mo.) saved four games and compiled a 2-1 record with a 3.86 ERA in a team-leading 22 appearances.

Newcomers Dylan Kurahashi-Choy Foo and Josh Holmes also figure to be impact performer for the Gorillas.

Choy Foo (Waimanalo, Hawaii) joined the Gorillas as a graduate transfer from NCAA Division I Tarleton State University. He started 46 games, primarily at third base, for the Texans in 2023, hitting .276 with 27 runs scored, six doubles, four home runs and 35 RBI.

Holmes (Lenexa, Kan.) transferred to Pitt State from Butler Community College. He played in 42 games for the Grizzlies in 2023, batting .299 with 50 runs scored, sevend doubles, five home runs, 20 RBI and 14 stolen bases.

Newcomers Brady Pacha, junior RHP, and Alex Kafka, graduate RHP, figure to make starts on the mound for the Gorillas this weekend, along with Leslie and junior RHP Cason Long.

Pacha (Wichita, Kan.) transferred to Pitt State from Neosho Community College. He made 13 starts for the Panthers last year, posting a 5-5 record with a 5.01 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 70.0 innings of work. Kafka (Pittsburg) returns to his hometown from Division I Morehead State University. Kafka compiled a 4-5 record in 35 career appearances for the Eagles between 2021-23.
 
Long made seven starts in 2023 with an 0-1 record and an 8.05 ERA in 34.2 innings of work. He registered 42 strikeouts (10.89 K/9 IP).