PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University softball team is set to partake in the University Central Oklahoma/Oklahoma Christian University Classic (Feb. 9-10) in Edmond and Oklahoma City, Okla.
Pitt State will begin the tournament against No. 22 Oklahoma Baptist (11 a.m.) and Maryville (3:30 p.m.) on Friday from Gerry Pinkston Stadium. On Saturday, the Gorillas will play Southern Nazarene (11 a.m.) from Gerry Pinkston Stadium before shifting focus to No. 16 Oklahoma Christian at 3:30 p.m. from Tom Heath Field.
Peek at the Gorillas
The Gorillas are coming off a 6-0 weekend at the DII First Pitch Invitational in Conroe, Texas for the program's best start since 1991. MIAA Hitter of the Week Heather Arnett leads the tea with a .583 average, 14 hits, 12 runs scored, seven stolen bases and three triples. Hannah Burnett is hitting .500 with 10 hits, eighth runs scored, eight RBIs, six stolen bases and two triples. Courtney Storey is hitting .467 with seven hits and three RBIs. In the circle Ava Laurent is 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA from 15.1 innings of work, striking out 17 and holding opponents to a .264 average. Kiana Pogroszewski is 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA from 16.0 innings of work, striking out nine and holding opponents to a .266 average.
Bisons Scout
No. 22 Oklahoma Baptist was picked to win the Great American Conference after claiming the regular season title and making their first ever NCAA Division II Regional appearance a season ago. This season the Bisons went 1-2 at the Mardi Gras Invitational beating No. 3 Central Oklahoma while losing to Augustana and No. 24 Mississippi College. Emily Adler leads the team with a .375 average with three hits while Ally Ryan is hitting .333 from two hits. Kayleigh Jones is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA from 11.1 innings of work, striking out 14 and holding opponents to a .163 average. Maggie Place is 0-1 with a 1.05 ERA from 6.2 innings of work, striking out six and holding opponents to a .045 average.
Saints Report
Maryville was picked to finish fourth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll after going 30-21 overall (15-9 GLVC) last season. The Saints will begin the season in this tournament with Southern Nazarene and Pittsburg State on Friday. Kylie Swinney was a first-team All-GLVC selection last season after hitting .347 with 50 hits, six triples, 28 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Chayse Ramey and Emily Corona were third-team All-GLVC honoree's last season with Ramey finishing with a 9-10 record, 4.67 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 121.1 innings of work.
Crimson Storm Scout
Southern Nazarene was picked to finish seventh in the Great American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll after going 25-28 overall (13-19 GAC) last season. This season the Crimson Storm are 2-2 after the Mardi Gras Classic with wins over Tuskegee and Delta State to begin the tournament and losses to Texas A&M – Kingsville and Union (Tenn.). Hailey Evans is hitting .500 with five hits, five RBIs and four walks drawn to lead the team. Macy Stewart is hitting .500 with three hits and two RBIs. In the circle, Janie Worthington is 0-0 after two starts for a 4.00 ERA in 7.0 innings of work, striking out 10 and opponents hitting .343 against her. Olivia Hernandez is the other starter with a 0-1 record, 4.67 ERA in 3.9 innings of work, striking out two and opponents hitting .385.
Eagles Report
No. 16 Oklahoma Christian was picked to finish third in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll after going 38-17 overall (29-13 LSC) last season with an NCAA Division II Reginal appearance. This season the Eagles are 1-3 after the Concordia Kick Off Classic in California, beating No. 14 Concordia University Irvine and losing to Biola University, California State – Monterey Bay and Hawaii Pacific. Kadence Brewster is hitting .357 with five hits and three doubles to lead the team. Tristyn Hamilton is hitting .333 with four hits and an RBI. Grace Anderson is 1-2 with a 2.80 ERA in 15.0 innings of work, striking out 13 with opponents hitting .322. Jill Dickson is 0-1 with a 3.50 ERA in 8.0 innings of work, striking out five and opponents hitting .214.
Following the completion of the UCO/OC Classic the Gorillas will participate in the Washburn Invitational (Feb. 23-25) at the Envista Softball Complex in Topeka.
