Gorillas Set to Host Griffons in MIAA Series

PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will return to the friendly confines of Al Ortolani Field to start a three-game MIAA series against Missouri Western State University beginning Friday (Apr. 12).

First pitch is set for 5 p.m. (CDT) Friday with additional games scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday (Apr. 13) and Noon Sunday (Apr. 14).

Pitt State is 24-14 overall and 14-10 in MIAA play heading into the series. The Gorillas currently sit in a tie for fourth place in the conference standings (with Washburn). MWSU is 19-18 overall (10-14 MIAA) and tied for seventh in the MIAA standings (with Northeastern State).

The Gorillas posted a 6-5 road win over Emporia State University Tuesday (Apr. 9). Pitt State dropped all three games in an MIAA series against No. 2 University of Central Missouri last week at Warrensburg, Mo. The Gorillas are 14-4 at Al Ortolani Field this spring.

As a team, Pitt State is hitting .302 and scoring 8.2 runs per game. The Gorillas have smacked 95 doubles and 60 home runs and stolen 46 bases to date. Pitt State pitchers have a 5.19 ERA registering 275 strikeouts in 317.1 innings pitched. Defensively, the Gorillas have a .976 fielding percentage with just 31 errors in 1,316 total chances. Pitt State ranks second in the MIAA in fielding percentage, third in the conference in ERA and fourth in the league in batting average and runs scored.

Graduate infielder Dylan Kurahashi-Choy Foo has a team-leading .386 batting average with 51 hits in 132 at-bats on the season. Choy Foo, who ranks eighth in the MIAA in batting average, has 16 doubles, five home runs home runs and 36 RBI to his credit.

Senior catcher Nixon Brannan is hitting .353 with 12 doubles, 13 home runs and 37 RBI on the season, while senior infielder Daegan Brady is batting .336 with six doubles, seven home runs and 18 RBI. Junior infielder Austin Warkins is hitting .313 with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 35 RBI. Brannan is third in the MIAA in home runs and 17th in the conference in batting average.

Junior right-hander Tanner Leslie (7-2, 4.81 ERA), junior RHP Gage Singer (0-1, 0.69 ERA), graduate RHP Alex Kafka (2-2, 5.89 ERA) and junior RHP Brady Pacha (2-4, 5.77 ERA) will factor in the mix for the starting pitching slots for the series.

Junior RHP Cole Askew (0-0, 6.23 ERA, 4 Saves) has made a team-leading 16 relief appearances for the Gorillas, while junior RHP Cadyn Castellanos (5-2, 4.40 ERA) has appeared in 15 games. Junior RHP Boston Dowd (3-1, 2.52) also had made 14 relief appearances with 27 strikeouts in 25.0 innings of work.

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