Gorillas to Host MIAA Series Against Bearcats

PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will return to Al Ortolani Field for a three-game MIAA series against Northwest Missouri State University beginning Friday (Mar. 14).

The Gorillas and Bearcats are scheduled to face off Friday at 3 p.m. (CST), Saturday (Mar. 15) at 2 p.m. and Sunday (Mar. 16) at Noon.

Pitt State enters the series 13-5 overall and 4-5 in MIAA play. The Gorillas took one of three games from the University of Central Oklahoma in its most recent MIAA series against the Bronchos last weekend at Edmond, Okla.

NWMSU is 9-9 overall (3-3 MIAA). The Bearcats, who swept a three-game MIAA series against Washburn University last weekend, had a four-game winning streak snapped in a 6-8 decision against William Jewell College Tuesday (Mar. 11).

As a team, the Gorillas are batting .293 and scoring 8.3 runs per game to date. Pitt State pitchers are carrying a 4.16 ERA with 181 strikeouts in 153.2 innings of work. The Gorillas have made just 16 errors in 641 total chances (.975 fielding pct.). Offensively, Pitt State ranks second in the MIAA in slugging percentage (.532), third in the conference in runs scored, doubles (46) and home runs (25). The Gorillas lead the MIAA in triples (10), rank fourth in the league in RBI (134) and sixth in batting average.

The Pitt State pitching staff ranks second in the MIAA in strikeouts, third in the conference in ERA and fourth in the league in opponent batting average (.243). Defensively, the Gorillas rank fourth in the conference to date in fielding percentage.

Senior infielder Rickey Sanchez is batting a team-leading .400 with 18 runs scored, four doubles, two home runs and 14 RBI. Sanchez (Mexico City) ranks in the conference in batting average.

Junior infielder/designated hitter Dagen Brewer has a .348/.423/.848 slash line to date. The Topeka native leads the MIAA in RBI (31) and he ranks second in the league in doubles, home runs and slugging.

Graduate outfielder Alex Rodgers (.305/.506/.525) has scored a team-leading 28 runs and stolen nine bases. He leads the MIAA lead in runs scored and shares the league lead in triples.

Pitt State starting pitchers Kolby Dougan (4-0, 1.97 ERA), Maddox Thornton (3-1, 3.76) and Tanner Leslie (1-2, 5.66 ERA) are a combined 8-3 with a 3.53 ERA in 79.0 innings of work following each pitcher's first five starts of the young season.

Dougan, a graduate RHP, garnered NCAA Division II National Pitcher of the Year on Feb. 13 after he fired a complete-game one hitter and tied a school record with 16 strikeouts in a 12-0 victory over Truman State on Feb. 8. The Topeka native has allowed just seven runs and 13 hits in 32.0 innings pitched this season, while allowing just nine walks and registering 58 strikeouts. He leads the MIAA and ranks second in Division II in strikeouts (16.3 Ks/9 IP) and leads the MIAA and ranks fifth nationally in WHIP (0.69).

Thornton, a graduate RHP, has allowed 31 hits and five walks in 26.1 IP. The Bentonville, Ark., native has registered 26 strikeouts so far.

Senior RHP Brady Pacha also is 3-1 with a 4.61 ERA and one save in seven appearances, one start. He has allowed just six hits in 13.2 IP. Pacha (Wichita) has 16 strikeouts to his credit.

Senior RHPs Cadyn Castellanos (0-0, 4.40 ERA) and Boston Dowd (0-0, 3.48 ERA) have been effective out of the Pitt State bullpen. Castellanos (Murrieta, Calif.) has 19 Ks in 14.1 innings pitched. He's allowed 14 hits and just one walk in eight appearances, while Dowd (Anderson, Mo.) has surrendered four runs with 12 strikeouts in 10.1 innings of work in seven appearances.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Tanner Leslie: RHP; 6' 1"; Senior; R/R

#24 Brady Pacha: RHP; 6' 3"; Senior; R/R

#26 Boston Dowd: RHP; 6' 3"; Senior; R/R

#16 Cayden Castellanos: RHP; 6' 0"; Senior; R/R

#1 Rickey Sanchez: INF; 5' 8"; Senior; R/R

#4 Alex Rodgers: OF; 6' 0"; Graduate Student; R/R

#6 Dagen Brewer: INF; 5' 10"; Junior; R/R

#20 Kolby Dougan: RHP; 5' 11"; Graduate Student; R/R

#17 Maddox Thornton: RHP; 6' 2"; Graduate Student; R/R

Players Mentioned

#7 Tanner Leslie
: 6' 1"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#24 Brady Pacha
: 6' 3"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#26 Boston Dowd
: 6' 3"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#16 Cayden Castellanos
: 6' 0"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#1 Rickey Sanchez
: 5' 8"; Senior; R/R
: INF

#4 Alex Rodgers
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student; R/R
: OF

#6 Dagen Brewer
: 5' 10"; Junior; R/R
: INF

#20 Kolby Dougan
: 5' 11"; Graduate Student; R/R
: RHP

#17 Maddox Thornton
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student; R/R
: RHP