PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University softball team will resume MIAA play on the road against Northeastern State University and No. 3 Rogers State University this weekend.
 
The doubleheader against the RiverHawks is set to begin at 3 p.m. (CT)  Friday (Mar. 22) at RiverHawks Park. Against the Hillcats, the twinbill begins at Noon Saturday (Mar. 23) at the Diamond Sports Complex.
 
Pittsburg State comes into the weekend with a Division II leading 30-2 record (4-0 MIAA). The Gorillas also are riding the nation's longest winning streak at 20 games.
 
Offensively, the Gorillas are led by sophomore Heather Arnett with a .508 average, 61 hits, 46 runs scored and a program record 35 steals. Graduate transfer Hannah Burnett is a reigning MIAA Co-Hitter of the Week and for the season is hitting .455 with 46 hits, 37 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. Junior Alleyna Rushing is hitting .356 while seniors Maddie Fernandez (.351), Paxtyn Hayes (.327) and Kadyn Trochim (.325) round out the qualified batters hitting above .300.
 
In the circle, freshman Ava Laurent (9-0, 1.77 ERA) leads the team with 87.0 innings, 117 strikeouts and holding opposing batters to a .203 batting average. Senior Kiana Pogroszewski (8-1, 2.82 ERA) this season has pitched 72.0 innings with 55 strikeouts. Junior Chelsea Beville (6-0, 1.70 ERA) and senior Hannah Martin (6-0, 2.19 ERA) to round out the pitching staff.
 
Northeastern State is 5-18 overall (0-6 MIAA) on the season and battling a six-game losing streak. Addy Wolfe leads the team with a .296 average scoring 14 runs and hitting two home runs. Emily Sampson leads the team with 17 hits while batting .269 and her 14 RBI also leads the team. In the circle, Korynn Tindel (0-5, 2.46 ERA), Madison Heinle (5-9, 4.09 ERA) and Elisha Stilwell (0-5, 5.08 ERA) are the pitchers used this season by the RiverHawks. Heinle leads the team with 73.2 innings and 43 strikeouts while Tindel's .212 opposing batting average is the lowest on the team.
 
Rogers State enters the weekend with a 22-4 overall (6-0 MIAA) record and are on a 12-game winning streak. Paxton Donaldson leads the team with a .355 average and 22 hits. Bridgett Morales (.302) and Lana Gass (.300) round out the qualified hitters batting above .300. Sara Llamas-Howell (11-2, 1.55 ERA) and Jade Sanders (8-2, 2.37 ERA) are the two starters with Harley Culie (3-0, 1.24 ERA) being primarily used as a reliever. Llamas-Howell leads the team with 75.1 innings of work and 76 strikeouts while Sanders .183 opposing batting average is the lowest on the team.
 
Following the doubleheaders against NSU and RSU, Pitt State will return home to host Nebraska-Kearney (Mar. 29) and Fort Hays State (Mar. 30) next weekend.