PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team will travel to Edmond, Okla., for a three-game MIAA series beginning Friday (Mar. 7).

The Gorillas and Bronchos are scheduled to face off Friday at 5 p.m. (CST) at Wendell Simmons Field, Saturday (Mar. 8) at 2 p.m. and Sunday (Mar. 9) at Noon.

Pitt State enters the series 12-3 overall and 3-3 in MIAA play. The Gorillas posted an 8-7 non-conference home win over Missouri University of Science & Technology Wednesday (Mar. 5) at Kansas City, Mo. Pitt State took one of three games from the University of Central Misosuri in its most recent MIAA series against the Mules last weekend (Feb. 8-Mar. 2).

UCO is 13-4 overall (4-2 MIAA). The Bronchos, who swept a three-game MIAA series against Emporia State University last weekend, enter the series on a four-game winning streak.

As a team, the Gorillas are batting .301 and scoring 8.7 runs per game to date. Pitt State pitchers are carrying a 3.93 ERA with 154 strikeouts in 128.1 innings of work. The Gorillas have made just 11 errors in 529 total chances (.979 fielding pct.). Offensively, Pitt State ranks second in the MIAA in runs scored, batting average, doubles (43), RBI (116), and slugging percentage (.540). The Gorillas lead the MIAA in triples (10) and rank third in the conference in home runs (18.

The Pitt State pitching staff ranks second in the MIAA in ERA and strikeouts and third in the conference in opponent batting average (.240. Defensively, the Gorillas rank third in the conference to date in fielding percentage.

Senior infielder Rickey Sanchez is batting a team-leading .434 with 18 runs scored, three doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI. Sanchez (Mexico City) ranks fifth in the MIAA in runs scored and seventh in the conference in batting average.

Junior infielder/designated hitter Dagen Brewer has a .364/.431/.855 slash line to date. The Topeka native leads the MIAA in RBI and slugging. He's second in the league in doubles and tied for second place in home runs to date.

Graduate outfielder Alex Rodgers (.277/.507/.489) has scored a team-leading 24 runs and stolen eight bases. He shares the MIAA lead in runs scored and triples (3) and ranks in a tie for second place in stolen bases.

Pitt State starting pitchers Kolby Dougan (3-0, 1.44 ERA), Maddox Thornton (3-1, 3.98) and Tanner Leslie (1-1, 4.96 ERA) are a combined 7-2 with a 3.21 ERA in 61.7 innings of work following each pitcher's first four 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 four runs and 10 hits in 25.0 innings pitched this season, while allowing just six walks and registering 46 strikeouts. He leads the MIAA in strikeouts and opponent BA (.119) and ranks second in the league in ERA.

Thornton, a graduate RHP, has allowed 23 hits and four walks in 20.1 IP. The Bentonville, Ark., native has registered 20 strikeouts so far. Thornton and Dougan are tied for third place in the MIAA, with two other pitchers, in victories.

Senior RHP Brady Pacha also is 3-0 with a 3.46 ERA and one save in five appearances, one start. He has allowed just four hits and six walks in 13.0 IP (0.77 WHIP). Pacha (Wichita) has 16 strikeouts to his credit.

Senior RHPs Cadyn Castellanos (0-0, 4.63 ERA) and Boston Dowd (0-0, 3.72 ERA) have been effective out of the Pitt State bullpen. Castellanos (Murrieta, Calif.) has 17 Ks in 11.2 innings pitched. He's allowed 13 hits and just one walk in six appearances, while Dowd (Anderson, Mo.) has surrendered four runs with 12 strikeouts in 9.2 innings of work in six appearances.