PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University softball team is set to host the MIAA/NSIC Conference Challenge beginning on Friday (Mar. 14) at the Pittsburg State Softball Field.
 
The three-day tournament hosted by the Gorillas begins with a twinbill against Northern State at 2:00 p.m. (CDT) on Friday. Saturday (Mar. 15) the Gorillas doubleheader against Minnesota State – Moorhead begins at 2:00 p.m. To end the weekend on Sunday (Mar. 16), Pittsburg State will battle against Concordia – St. Paul in a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.
 
Pittsburg State (15-7) is coming off a 4-2 week against Southwest Baptist at home and road doubleheaders against No. 13 Central Oklahoma and Newman. The reigning MIAA Hitter of the Week, Heather Arnett is hitting .525 with 42 hits, 27 runs scored, nine runs driven in and 20 stolen bases. Courtney Storey is hitting .420 with 29 hits, 11 runs scored and 19 RBI. Alleyna Rushing averages .385 with 20 hits, 14 runs scored and six stolen bases. Kadyn Trochim round out the qualified hitters batting above .300 at .306 while leading the team with five home runs and 21 runs driven in.
 
In the circle, the duo of Aydenne Brown (7-3, 2.35 ERA) and Ava Laurent (7-4, 3.42 ERA) lead the pitching staff as starters. Brown in 47.2 innings has 64 strikeouts (9.40 per seven innings) with opponents hitting .164 against her. Laurent has struck out 65 batters in 61.1 innings with opponents hitting .242 against her.
 
Northern State is in the midst of playing 12 games over a span of six straight games with stops in Branson, Mo., Warrenbsurg, Pittsburg and Joplin. Leading the Wolves on offense as of Mar. 12th is Aune Boben with a .472 average, 17 hits and 13 runs scored. Emma Owens is hitting .429 with 15 hits and nine runs scored while driving in 12 runs. Dessa Bryant is hitting .353 with 12 hits and nine runs scored. Tevan Bryant is leading the team with 13 runs driven in currently while hitting .233. In the circle for NSU, Abby Rux (3-3, 2.97 ERA) leads the team with 37.2 innings, 23 strikeouts and a .333 opponent batting average. Boben is the other starter so far in the circle, accounting for 18.2 innings, 15 strikeouts and a .345 opposing batting average.
 
Minnesota State – Moorhead enters the weekend with a 7-14 record and is 1-4 on the road this season. Avery Steffen leads the team with a .423 average, 30 hits, 21 runs scored and 16 stolen bases. Annika Norman is hitting .354 with a team-high 14 runs driven in, adding in 23 hits and 13 run scored. Teagan Pranchke is the other qualified hitter batting above .300 at .333 with 14 hits, eight runs scored and five stolen bases. In the circle for the Dragons, Steffen (3-5, 4.11 ERA) leads the staff with 47.2 innings, 50 strikeouts and a .241 opponent batting average. Taegan Clemmons (3-4, 3.80 ERA) is second on the team with 42.1 innings, 40 strikeouts and .280 opposing batting average.
 
Concordia – St. Paul enters the tournament with a 7-13 record and is 1-2 on the road. Sydney Pelzer leads the team with a .368 averages, 11 doubles and 16 RBI. Alexis Monty is hitting .338 with 22 hits, 17 runs scored, 14 runs driven in and 15 stolen bases. For the Golden Bears in the circle, Emmy Bowne (3-6, 3.06 ERA), Erica McCullough (0-4, 3.89 ERA) and Tatum Dunlavy (4-3, 4.54 ERA) lead the pitching staff as starters. Bowne leads the team with 50.1 innings pitched, 23 strikeouts and a .247 opponent batting average.