WICHITA — Former Pittsburg State University head baseball coach Bob Fornelli has been selected for induction into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.

Fornelli is one of seven honorees in the Class of 2026 selected by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches (KABC).

Fornelli retired following the 2025 season after leading the Gorillas to a 42-12 record and an NCAA Division II Super Regional appearance. He compiled a 215-116 record in eight seasons leading the Pitt State program and a 1,120-495 in 29 seasons as a collegiate head coach overall.

Fornelli became the fifth head coach in Pitt State program history on June 5, 2018. He guided the Gorillas to six 30-win seasons, including a program-best 42 wins in 2025. His 2021 squad reached the championship game of the MIAA Postseason Tournament, while Fornelli's 2022, 2023 and 2024 squads all reached the tournament semifinals.

Fornelli came to Pitt State from MIAA rival Emporia State University where he fashioned a 599-266 (.692) record in 15 seasons leading his alma mater (2004-18). Fornelli guided the Hornets to 13 trips to the NCAA Division II National Tournament, two appearances in the D2 World Series and a national runner-up finish in 2009. He led ESU to five MIAA regular season crowns (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2017) and a pair of MIAA Tournament titles (2007, 2014).
 
Prior to ESU, Fornelli compiled a 306-113 (.730) record in seven seasons at Fort Hays State University. He led the Tigers to four Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles and six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a berth in the D2 national championship game in 2000. He remains the winningest head coach in FHSU program history.
 
Prior to his tenure at FHSU, Fornelli served as pitching coach at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan., from 1992-96. The Grizzlies posted a 195-86 (.694) record during his five seasons on staff, finishing third at the NJCAA World Series in 1994.
 
A Lenexa, Kan., native, Fornelli earned honorable mention All-Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) honors as a catcher for ESU his senior season. He played two seasons at Butler Community College before joining the Hornets.

The KABC Hall of Fame Class of 2026 also includes:  Beals Becker, Nate Cornejo, Travis Hafner, Don Karnes, Bob Veale and the 1927-29 Leavenworth Booker T's. The group will be honored on Jan. 31, 2026, at LeVela Event Center in Wichita.