PITTSBURG — The 10^th ranked Pittsburg State University softball team will host the Missouri Southern State University Lions in an MIAA doubleheader Saturday (Apr. 6) beginning at 1 p.m. (CDT) from the PSU Softball Complex.
 
Following Saturday's doubleheader, Pitt State players and coaches will host an autograph signing session on the field. Gorilla fans are encouraged to stick around after the games for the free event. The first 50 children who go through the autograph line will receive a free pair of Pitt State sunglasses.
 
The Gorillas own a 36-4 overall record (10-2 MIAA) heading into Saturday's action; and Pitt State is ranked No. 10 in the most recent NFCA NCAA Division II Top 25 poll. The Gorillas currently sit in third place in the MIAA standings behind No. 8 University of Central Oklahoma (30-6, 10-0 MIAA) and No. 4 Rogers State University (29-5, 13-1 MIAA).
 
Offensively, Pitt State is hitting .361 as a team and scoring 6.9 runs per game. In the circle, the Gorillas sport a 2.18 ERA as a staff, while averaging 6.9 strikeouts per game and limiting opponents to a .255 batting average.
 
Individually, sophomore utility player Heather Arnett leads the team with a .487 average, 54 runs scored, 73 hits, seven triples and 39 stolen bases. She leads Division II in hits and stolen bases, ranks second in the country in runs scored and triples and ranks 15^th nationally in batting average. Graduate infielder Hannah Burnett is hitting .438 with 48 runs scored, 53 hits, four home runs, 32 RBI, 24 walks drawn and 26 stolen bases to rank 11^th in stolen bases and 17^th in hits among Division II rankings.
 
Senior infielder Maddie Fernandez (.368) and senior utility player Paxtyn Hayes (.350) are tied for the team lead with nine home runs. Hayes leads the squad with 48 RBI with Fernandez close behind with 37. Sophomore outfielder Alleyna Rushing is hitting .411 with 14 runs scored this season. Junior outfielder Courtney Storey (.350) and redshirt junior infielder Kadyn Trochim (.302) round out qualified hitters batting better than .300.
 
In the circle, freshman Ava Laurent (12-1, 1.93 ERA) is 10^th in Division II ranks with 144 strikeouts. Laurent has limited opposing batters to a .195 average over her 109.0 innings pitched.
 
Redshirt senior Kiana Pogroszewski (11-1, 2.62 ERA) has struck out 62 batters in 91.0 innings of work and issued only 15 walks. Junior Chelsea Beville (6-1, 1.75 ERA) has struck out 36 batters in 28.0 innings with opponents hitting .243 against her. Senior Hannah Martin (6-0, 2.21 ERA) has struck out 29 batters in 25.1 innings of work.
 
Missouri Southern enters the weekend with a 29-10 overall record (9-3 MIAA). The Lions currently sit in fourth place in the MIAA standings.
 
Offensively, MSSU is hitting .309 and scoring 6.4 runs a game. In the circle, the Lions carry a 2.68 ERA as a staff with 4.9 strikeouts a game and a .244 opponent batting average.
 
Taylor Nuckolls leads the team with a .408 average with 27 runs scored, 40 hits, 36 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Kara Amos, the reigning MIAA Hitter of the Week, is hitting .370 with 20 runs scored, 37 hits, six home runs and 29 RBI. Katie Gray is batting .346 with eight doubles and 25 RBI. Yazmin Vargas is hitting .337 with 39 runs scored, six triples, 19 RBI and 30 stolen bases. Kylee Jacks is batting .333 with 36 runs scored, 40 hits and 26 stolen bases.
 
Kiki Pickens (10-5, 1.81 ERA) leads the Lions in the circle with 100.2 innings pitched, 94 strikeouts and a .205 opponent BA. Avery Tallman (6-0, 2.63 ERA) has issued 15 walks in 45.1 innings of work and limited the opposition to a .239 average against her. Amos (7-2, 2.80 ERA) has issued 13 walks in 50.0 innings of work with 33 strikeouts. Natalie Bates (4-0, 4.76 ERA) has struck out 22 batters in 25.0 innings; and Lily Rand (2-3, 2.74 ERA) has pitched 23.0 innings this season with opponents hitting .330 against her.
 
Following the twinbill against the Lions, Pittsburg State will hit the road to play doubleheaders against Washburn (Apr. 12) and Emporia State (Apr. 13) to kick off a two-week, eight-game road swing.