PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University softball program will open its 2024 season by competing at the DII First Pitch Invitational this weekend (Feb. 2-4) at Conroe, Texas.

The Gorillas will open the three-day tournament Friday with a 4:45 p.m. (CST) game against St. Mary's (Texas) and a 7 p.m. contest against Arkansas Tech at 7 p.m. Saturday's action pits Pitt State against Texas Woman's at 12:15 p.m. and Cal Poly Humboldt at 4:45 p.m. The Gorillas wrap up play Sunday with a 12:15 p.m. match-up with St. Martin's and a 2:30 p.m. match-up with St. Edward's.

Pittsburg State – (27-21 overall, 12-14 MIAA in 2023)
The Gorillas were picked to finish seventh in the 2024 MIAA Preseason Poll announced on (Jan. 19) with nine returners highlighted by All-Region selection Paxtyn Hayes. Hayes a first-team All-MIAA performer last season finished the season with a .357 average, 12 home runs and 58 RBIs. Gabby Schultz the reigning MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and a NFCA Rawling Gold Glove winner at shortstop finished last season with a .331 average, five home runs and 28 RBIs. Heather Arnett was a second-team All-MIAA outfielder last season as a freshman with a .376 average, 62 hits and 26 stolen bases. Hannah Martin went 14-10 in the circle last season with a 2.28 ERA, .256 opposing batting average and 137 strikeouts in 147.1 innings. Lilli Weir went 7-6 last season with 72 strikeouts in 93.2 innings and opponents hitting .277 against her. Head Coach, Jenny Fuller enters her third season in charge of the program with a 52-47 record at PSU and 196-163 overall in her career spanning eight seasons.

St. Mary's (Texas) – (32-27 overall, 21-21 LSC in 2023)
The Rattlers were picked to finish eighth in the Lone Start Conference Preseason Poll announced on (Jan. 25) with 17 returners from last season's South Central Regional appearance team. Lauren Gonzales was a first-team All-LSC Outfielder after finished last season with a .355 average, 42 stolen bases and 40 runs scored. Madeline Bloom went 10-7 in the circle with a 2.24 ERA from 121.2 innings of work and opponents hitting .234 against her. Emily Ayala was named to the LSC All-Freshman Team last season after hitting .317 with five home runs and 19 RBIs while also appearing in the circle nine times. Head Coach, Donna Fields enters her 27th season with the program as the NFCA Hall of Famer posting a 1,044-482 record.

Arkansas Tech – (28-24 overall, 17-15 GAC in 2023)
The Golden Suns were picked to finish fifth in the Great American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll announced on (Jan. 9) with 12 letterwinners returning. Bradi Basler is the lone returning pitcher with a 10-10 record with a 3.34 ERA from 117.1 innings while striking out 77 and limiting opposing batters to a .252 average. Kaylyn Aguirre, Shelby Chavers and Kacie Gibbins started 30 or more games last season and are the most seasoned returners. Head Coach, Jordon Jones enters her second season at ATU and has a career 182-103 record in six seasons.

Texas Woman's – (25-28 overall, 17-25 LSC in 2023)
The Pioneers were picked to finish 10th in the LSC Preseason Poll announced on (Jan. 25) with 14 returners. Alyssa LeBlanc was named the LSC Preseason Pitcher of the Year after the utility player was a first-team All-LSC, D2CCA All-Region and NFCA All-American last season with a 18-12 record in the circle holding a 1.71 ERA in 184.2 innings striking out 294 and opponents hitting .171 against her. LeBlanc was a threat in the batter's box as well holding a .392 average with 18 home runs for 46 RBIs and 38 walks drawn. Head Coach, Gay McNutt enters her second season at TWU and in her career spanning 23 seasons as a head coach she is 663 wins.

Cal Poly Humboldt – (26-27 overall, 14-20 CCAA in 2023)
The Lumberjacks were picked to finish 10th in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Preseason Poll announced on (Jan. 25) with 15 returners. Alyssa Smokey was a first-team All-CCAA and All-West Region performer last season after hitting .373 and in the circle posting a 5-6 record and 2.83 ERA from 69.1 innings with opponents hitting .231 against her. Head Coach, Megan Corriea enters her first season in charge of the program while holding a 486-207 career record spanning 17 years.

Saint Martin's – (29-18 overall, 15-9 GNAC in 2023)
The Saints were picked to finish third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced on (Jan. 26) with 11 returners. Haley Agena finished last season with a .406 average from 56 hits and scored 35 runs to lead the team in each category. Britney Patrick hit .328 with 29 RBIs from 44 hits last season. Tia Ridings went 16-5 last season in the circle for a 3.10 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 119.2 innings and opponents hitting .257 against her. Chloe Laverington went 3-9 last season with a 3.46 ERA in the circle while tossing 87 innings and 87 strikeouts with opponents hitting .265 against her. Head Coach, Jim Peterson enters his seventh season in charge at SMU with a 131-112 career record.

St. Edward's – (27-28 overall, 20-22 LSC in 2023)
The Hilltoppers were picked to finish ninth in the LSC Preseason Poll announced on (Jan. 25) with 12 returners. Cadie Belle Currie was a second-team All-LSC performer last season after going 15-11 with a 2.14 ERA in the circle while striking out 113 in 183.1 innings. Arianna Vidales was an All-LSC third-team and All-Freshman team performer from the leadoff spot for a .336 average 29 runs and 28 stolen bases. Head Coach, Hailey Post enters her second season in charge at SEU and third as a head coach in her career.

Following the DII First Pitch Invitational, the Gorillas will take part in the UCO/OC Classic on Friday (Feb. 9) and Saturday (Feb. 10). Games on Friday will be played at Gerry Pinkston Stadium against No. 22 Oklahoma Baptist at 11 a.m. (CST) and Maryville at 3:30 p.m.  Saturday's games will be Southern Nazarene at 11 a.m. from Gerry Pinkston Stadium before playing No. 16 Oklahoma Christian at 3:30 p.m. at Tom Heath Field.