PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University softball team will partake in the Washburn University Invitational at the Lake Shawnee Softball Complex this weekend (Feb. 23-25).
 
Pitt State will open the tournament against Minot at Noon and Augustana (S.D.) at 2 p.m. (CST) Friday. On Saturday, The Gorillas will play St. Cloud State (Noon) and Sioux Falls (2 p.m.) before wrapping up the three-day action with match-ups against Rockhurst (Noon) and Minnesota State (4 p.m.) Sunday.
 
Peek at the Gorillas
The Gorillas enter the weekend with a 9-1 record – the program's best start to a season in the NCAA era (since 1989). Pitt State is ranked No. 18 in the most recent NFCA NCAA Division II Top 25 poll. The Gorillas debuted at No. 17 in the poll a week ago – Pitt State's first appearance in the D2 Top 25 since the final poll of the 1995 season. Heather Arnett leads the team with a .615 average, 18 runs scored, 24 hits, four triples and 12 stolen bases. Hannah Burnett leads the team with 14 RBI and two home runs while hitting .424 and drawn six walks. Sophia Driver (.500), Alleyna Rushing (.438), Courtney Storey (.429) and Kendall Forbes (.417) round out the qualified hitters batting above .300 so far this season. Kiana Pogroszewski (4-0, 1.91 ERA) and Ava Laurent (2-0, 2.37 ERA) lead the pitchers in the circle with Hannah Martin (2-0, 2.74 ERA), Bree Sexton (1-1, 2.33 ERA) and Chelsea Beville (0-0, 0.00 ERA) are more than capable as starters or from the bullpen.
 
Beavers Lookout
Minot State is off to a 5-3 start following a home tournament and four-game series in the first two weeks of the season, the Beavers were picked to finish 10^th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason poll. Taryn Bennett leads the team with a .421 average, five doubles and eight RBIs as Abby Lohse is hitting .391 with two home runs and three stolen bases. Gabi Dawyduk (1-2, 0.78 ERA), Reegan Floyd (1-0, 1.29 ERA), Calley Olson (1-1, 3.00 ERA) and Kierra Fournier (2-0, 3.06 ERA) have all started twice in the circle and made one appearance out of the bullpen.
 
Vikings Beware
Augustana (S.D.) is 4-4 following a season-opening tournament and a doubleheader split against Arkansas-Monticello. The Vikings were picked to repeat as the NSIC regular season champion according to the conference preseason poll. Liz Dierks is the only hitter batting above .300 at .389 while stealing a team-high three bases. Kennedy Buckman leads the team with two home runs while hitting .273. Grace Glanzer (3-1, 0.00 ERA) has surrendered two runs that were unearned in 26.0 innings of work while striking out 27 and holding opposing batters to a .116 average. Hailey Houston (0-1, 3.18 ERA) and Lexi Lander (0-2, 9.69 ERA) have started two games in the circle and made appearances from the bullpen.
 
Huskies Scout
St. Cloud State is 6-1 and riding a three-game winning streak heading into this weekend. The Huskies were picked fifth in the NSIC preseason poll. SCSU is led by Holly Weinberger, who is hitting .474 to date. Reese Holzhueter is hitting .429 with two home runs as Lydia Krueger (.385), Maggie Fitzgerald (.381) and Brooke Holmes (.353) are the remaining qualified hitters batting above .300. Emme Eickhoff (3-0, 0.79) has surrendered two earned runs in 17.2 innings with opponents hitting .238 against her. Justyce Porter (1-1, 0.49 ERA) is the top option out of the bullpen recording four saves in 14.1 innings of work and opponents hitting .160 against her.
 
Cougars Report
Sioux Falls is 5-6 following the Cougars involvement in tournaments at St. Cloud State and Emporia State. USF was picked 11^th in the NSIC preseason poll. The Cougars are led by Riley Schwisow with a .485 average, two home runs, 11 RBI and six stolen bases. Hannah Fry is hitting .361 with eight RBI and a team-high three doubles. Emma Barta (.344), Megan Lawson (.333) and Meghan Jochimsen (.310) round out the qualified hitters batting above .300. In the circle, Maddi Duncan (4-2, 2.75 ERA) is yet to leave a game with six complete games performances in 36.0 innings of work. She has struck out 35 and limited opposing batters to a .232 average.
 
Hawks In The Air
Rockhurst is 2-2 on the young season after competing in the ESU Classic (Feb. 17-18) and playing against NSIC member schools. The Hawks were picked to finish eighth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) preseason poll. Emilee Farnan leads the team with a .400 average while Maya Gallagher rounds out the qualified hitters batting above .300 at .364. Gallagher has stolen three bases to date. Avery Huffman (2-0, 1.17 ERA) and Anna Newcomer (0-2, 8.17 ERA) have started two games apiece, while Anna Stephen (0-0, 5.60 ERA) has made two appearances from the bullpen.
 
Mavericks Stampede
Minnesota State is 5-1 following the Mavs' season-opening home tournament (Feb. 2-4). MSU was picked fourth in the NSIC preseason poll. Kylie Sullivan leads the team with a .368 average and three stolen bases. Courtney Baxter is hitting .353 and Ellie Tallman rounds out the qualified hitters hitting above .300 at .333. McKayla Armbruster (3-0, 0.35 ERA) and Maddie Oetzmann (1-1, 1.50 ERA) have started three games apiece this season with Armbruster giving up one run in 20.0 innings of work with 18 strikeouts, no walks and a .154 opponent batting average.

Up Next
Following the WU Invitational, the Gorillas will make their home debut next Wednesday (Feb. 28) against Delta State. The twinbill will get started at 1 p.m. (CST) at the Pitt State Softball Complex.