PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University softball team will embark on their 24^th MIAA Championship Tournament appearances on Thursday (May 1) from the Fleharty Family Field at 6:30 p.m. (CDT) in Hays, Kan.
 
The No. 2 seed in the tournament the Gorillas finished the regular season with a 37-13 overall record, going 18-6 in the MIAA. Pitt State automatically advances to the tournament quarterfinals on Thursday by virtue of their seeding, where they await the winner of the first round matchup on Wednesday (Apr. 30) between No. 7 seed Missouri Western and No. 10 seed Nebraska – Kearney.
 
The two semifinal games are scheduled for Noon and 2:30 p.m., Friday (May 2) with the championship game set for Noon on Saturday (May 3).
 
As a team Pitt State is hitting .342 (11^th in Division II), with a .417 on base percentage (12^th), .517 slugging percentage (15^th), 459 hits (20^th), 279 runs batted in (29^th), 44 home runs (31^st), 6.2 runs a game (33^rd) and 93 stolen bases (39^th) while the pitching staff records 7.15 strikeout per 7 innings (12^th), 2.61 ERA (43^rd) and 1.29 WHIP (45^th) with a .969 team fielding percentage (34^th).
 
Heather Arnett was named a first-team All-MIAA performer at short stop after hitting a Division II leading .503 with 89 hits, 60 runs scored (7^th), runs scored per game at 1.20 and stolen bases with 40 (8^th), .80 stolen bases per game (18^th), a .526 on base percentage (22^nd), with a .952 stolen base percentage (28^th), 117 total bases (33^rd) and five triples (49^th).
 
Courtney Storey was a first-team All-MIAA selection in the outfield leads the team and ranks 28th in Division II for RBI with 53, with 1.10 runs batted in per game ranking 20th in the division and her seven sacrifice flys ranking second in the nation. The .401 hitter has 61 hits, 28 runs scored, 14 doubles and 11 stolen bases this season
 
Alleyna Rushing was an All-MIAA performer after hitting .387 with 46 hits, 37 runs scored, 19 RBI and 16 stolen bases. Amaya Snyder earned All-MIAA laurels after slashing .343/.433/.590 with 36 hits, 31 RBI, 19 runs scored, 15 walks drawn, seven doubles and five home runs. Kadyn Trochim was a second-team All-MIAA and Gold Glove recipient at third base, hitting .306 with 40 RBI and 12 home runs to go with a .947 fielding percentage. Ava Sarwinski (.313) and Kendall Forbes (.307) are the other qualified hitters batting above .300. Sophia Driver at .310 this season has nine home runs and 24 RBI to go with 27 runs scored.
 
In the circle, second-team All-MIAA hurler Ava Laurent (16-5, 2.55 ERA) ranks 34th in the nation for hits allowed per 7 innings (5.09), 43rd for strikeouts per 7 innings (7.7) and 46th for strikeouts (148). Overall, the right-handed hurler is 16-5 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 134.2 innings of work as opponents hit .200 against her. Aydenne Brown (15-6, 3.12 ERA) was an All-MIAA performer after ranking 30th in Division II for strikeouts per 7 innings (8.1) while possessing a 1.30 WHIP in 105.1 innings with 122 strikeouts and opponents hitting .211 against her.
 
Missouri Western enters the weekend with a 31-20 overall record, going 12-12 in the MIAA to earn the No. 7 seed in the postseason tournament. Led by first-team All-MIAA and Gold Glove recipient pitcher Sydney Rader (20-9, 1.66 ERA) who in 181.0 innings has a 1.08 WHIP having struck out 171 batters with 58 walks issued and opponents hitting .205 against her. Mackenzie DeVine leads the team with a .316 average and 48 hits, adding in five doubles, 21 runs scored, 22 RBI and 26 walks drawn. Myah Dwyer is the other qualified Griffon batting above .300 at .301 with 41 hits, 27 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. Kalee Higson is the top stolen base threat, going 32-of-38 in stolen base attempts. Taylor Jones was a Gold Glove winner in the outfield after recording 93 putouts and five assists with one error for a .990 fielding percentage.
 
Nebraska – Kearney will enter the weekend with a 23-26 overall record, finishing 9-15 in the MIAA and winning a tiebreaker to claim the No. 10 seed in the postseason tournament. Mary Chvatal leads the team after earning honorable mention All-MIAA honors as a short stop, hitting .375 with 54 hits, 41 runs scored, 15 stolen bases and 12 doubles. Gianna Galli is hitting .321 with 44 hits and seven doubles. Alyssa Fortik is the other Loper to hit above .300 as a qualified hitter at .315 with 46 hits, 29 runs scored, 13 doubles and 41 RBI. The quartet of Jerzie Schindler (6-10, 5.01 ERA), Daniella Morillas (8-5, 5.33 ERA), Madeline Janssen (4-2, 5 SV, 5.70 ERA) and Kalli Ulven (5-9, 5.95 ERA) will be available in the circle.