Gorillas to Open NCAA Play Against Reddies Thursday

PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University baseball team has earned the No. 3 seed in the Central Regional and has traveled to Mankato, Minn., to compete in a four-team regional pod hosted by Minnesota State University from May 15-18.

Pitt State (39-10) will face No. 6 seed Henderson State University (32-22) in its opening action Thursday (May 15) at 2 p.m. (CST) at ISG Field on the MSU campus. Second-seeded Minnesota State (49-6) will open play against No. 7 seed University of Arkansas-Monticello (32-22).

The Gorillas are making the program's sixth trip to the NCAA-II National Tournament – their first appearance in the NCAA postseason since 2018. Pitt State made three straight trips to the Central Regional from 1997-99 as well as berths in 2002 and 2018.

The Gorillas finished as the second-place squad in the MIAA during regular season play with a 27-9 league mark. Pitt State dropped a 2-1 decision to Washburn University in the quarterfinals of the single elimination 2025 MIAA Postseason Tournament last week.

No. 1 seed University of Central Missouri (38-11) will serve as the host of the Warrensburg, Mo., regional pod. The Mules will match up against No. 8 seed Harding University (39-17) in opening-round action. No. 4 seed University of Central Oklahoma (36-15) will face off against No. 5 seed Arkansas Tech University (31-21) in the other half of that bracket.

The winner of the Mankato and Warrensburg regional pods will advance to face one another in a best-of-three Super Regional Series, May 23-24, at the site of the highest advancing seed. The winner of the Super Regional will qualify for the eight-team 2025 Division II World Series to be played in Cary, N.C., at the USA Baseball Complex, May 31-June 7.

2025 NCAA Division II National Tournament

Central Regional, Mankato, Minn. Pod

May 15
Game 1, No. 3 Pittsburg State (39-10) vs. No. 6 Henderson State (32-22). 2 p.m.
Game 2, No. 2 Minnesota State (49-6) vs. No. 7 Arkansas-Monticello (32-21), 6 p.m.
May 16
Game 3, Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 2 p.m.
Game 4, Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6 p.m.
May 17
Game 5, Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 2 p.m.
Game 6, Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 6 p.m.
May 18
Game 7, Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 (If Necessary), Noon

Central Regional, Warrensburg, Mo. Pod

May 15
No. 1 Central Missouri (38-11) vs. No. 8 Harding (39-17), 2 p.m.
No. 4 Central Oklahoma (36-15) vs. No. 5 Arkansas Tech (31-21), 6 p.m.
May 16
Game 3, Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 2 p.m.
Game 4, Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6 p.m.
May 17
Game 5, Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 2 p.m.
Game 6, Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 6 p.m.
May 18
Game 7, Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 (If Necessary), 2 p.m.

Gorillas On Radio/Web Stream
All tournament games involving the Gorillas will be broadcast live in the Four States on the Gorilla Sports Network on the radio dial at 100.7 FM, 107.9 FM and 1340 AM. Fans can hear ESPN 100.7's live broadcasts anywhere in the world on the internet at: www.espn1007.com. The games also can be heard through the ESPN 100.7 app for phones or mobile devices.

All tournament games in Mankato will be web streamed through the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) network. [click here]

The Record
Pitt State enters the NCAA Division II Central Regional with a 39-10 overall record.

The Gorillas are ranked No. 15 in the most recent National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) NCAA Division II Top 25 poll. Pitt State has won 20 of their last 23 games. The Gorillas are seeking the program's first-ever 40-win campaign. Pitt State has matched the school single season victories record set by the 1997 squad and equaled by the 2002 team.

The Gorillas have a 4-10 overall record in NCAA Regional games. Pitt State posted a 2-2 mark en route to reaching the 1999 NCAA Central Regional Final at Warrensburg, Mo., before falling, 6-2, to Rockhurst University.

The Gorillas are 2-3 all-time against Henderson State with the last meeting coming in 2022. The Gorillas are 2-0 vs. Minnesota State and 1-2 vs. Arkansas-Monticello all-time.

Head Coach Bob Fornelli
Bob Fornelli is in his seventh year as head coach at Pittsburg State. He has compiled a 212-114 (.650) record leading the Gorillas. He recorded his 200th career at Pitt State in the Gorillas 8-5 win over Missouri Southern on Apr. 9

Fornelli, who has guided Pitt State to a 39-10 overall record this season, became just the fourth active NCAA Division II head coach to reach 1,100 career victories in the Gorillas' 13-7 win vs. Northeastern State on Mar. 30. Fornelli has a 1,117-493 (.694) record in 29 years as a collegiate coach.

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.

Fornelli has announced his plans to retire following the end of the season.

Scouting the Gorillas
As a team, the Gorillas are batting .320 and scoring 9.2 runs per game to date. Pitt State pitchers are carrying a 4.36 ERA with 397 strikeouts in 423.1 innings of work. The Gorillas have made just 33 errors in 1,747 total chances (.981 fielding pct.).

Offensively, Pitt State leads the MIAA in doubles (121), triples (25) and on-base percentage (.429). The Gorillas are second in the conference in batting average, RBI (414) and slugging percentage (.537), fifth in the league in stolen bases (75) and tied for fifth in home runs (64).

The Pitt State pitching staff leads the MIAA in ERA and ranks second in strikeouts (8.54 K/9 IP) and opponent batting average (.256). Defensively, the Gorillas lead the conference and rank second in NCAA Division II in fielding percentage.

Junior infielder Drew Bugner is batting a team-leading .386 with 13 doubles, four home runs and 44 RBI in 37 games played. A first-team All-MIAA selection, Bugner (Wichita, Kan.) ranks third in the MIAA in batting average. He had a 21-game hitting streak snapped vs. Missouri Western on Apr. 25. It tied for the second-longest hit streak in school history.

Graduate outfielder Alex Rodgers (.383/.532/.571) has scored a team-leading 74 runs, smacked nine doubles, six triples and four home runs and stolen 29 bases. He leads the MIAA in runs, on-base percentage and stolen bases and ranks in a tie for seventh place in Division II in runs scored and tied for eighth place nationally in triples. A first-team All-MIAA performer and an MIAA Gold Glove recipient, Rodgers set the PSU single season record for runs scored in the regular season finale.

Junior infielder/designated hitter Dagen Brewer has a .368/.442/.840 slash line in 41 games played. The Topeka native has 17 doubles, 20 home runs and 68 RBI to his credit. He tied the school single game record with nine RBI in the win vs. SBU on Mar. 18 and he established a new Pitt State single season home run mark by smacking his 20th round tripper of the season in the regular season finale vs. Arkansas Fort Smith on May 3.

Brewer leads the MIAA in slugging, ranks second in the league in RBI and third in the conference in home runs. He also ranks fourth nationally in RBI per game (1.66 pg) and home runs per game (0.49 pg). Brewer was a first-team All-MIAA selection.

Senior infielder Rickey Sanchez is hitting .379 with 52 runs scored, 19 doubles, four home runs and 44 RBI. Sanchez (Mexico City) ranks fifth in the conference in batting average and tied for third in the league in doubles. Sanchez garnered third-team All-MIAA honors and earned an MIAA Gold Glove Award for his .983 fielding percentage at shortstop.

Pitt State starting pitchers Kolby Dougan (7-0, 2.03 ERA), Maddox Thornton (9-2, 3.06) and Tanner Leslie (6-2, 4.39 ERA) are a combined 22-4 with a 3.17 ERA in 216.0 innings on the season.

Dougan, a graduate RHP, garnered NCAA Division II National Pitcher of the Week 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 14 runs and 32 hits in 62.0 innings pitched this season, while issuing just 16 walks and registering 102 strikeouts. He leads the MIAA and NCAA Division II in strikeouts (14.81 Ks/9 IP) and WHIP (0.77). Dougan earned first-team All-MIAA honors and was selected the MIAA Co-Pitcher of the Year along with Fort Hays State's Ty Riley (9-1, 2.91 ERA).

Thornton, a graduate RHP, has allowed 89 hits and just 11 walks in 88.1 IP. The Bentonville, Ark., native has registered 70 strikeouts so far. Thornton shares the MIAA lead in victories (with Riley) and ranks fourth in the conference in ERA.

Leslie, a senior RHP, has a 20-9 career record with a 5.03 ERA in 48 career appearances (36 starts) for the Gorillas. His 20 career wins ranks second on Pitt State's all-time victories list. Leslie earned All-MIAA honors for the third time in his career after being named to the third-team All-MIAA squad.

Senior RHP Brady Pacha also is 5-1 with a 2.984ERA and one save in 12 appearances, three starts. He has allowed just 16 hits in 31.2 IP. Pacha (Wichita) has 30 strikeouts to his credit. He tossed 7.0 shutout innings in the Gorillas' 5-0 win vs. Drury on Apr. 1.

Senior RHP Cadyn Castellanos (3-2, 3.70 ERA) and junior RHP Cooper Crouch (4-2, 4 Sv, 4.63 ERA) have been effective out of the Pitt State bullpen. Castellanos (Murrieta, Calif.) has 37 Ks in 43.2 innings pitched. He's allowed 46 hits and just seven walks in 19 appearances (four starts), while Crouch (Webb City, Mo.) has registered 22 strikeouts in 24.1 innings of work in 20 appearances. Castellanos has a 2-0 record with a 3.23 ERA in his four starts for the Gorillas. Both Castellanos and Crouch garnered honorable mention All-MIAA recognition.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#12 Drew Bugner: INF; 6' 2"; Junior; 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

#19 Cooper Crouch: RHP; 6' 0"; Junior; 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

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

#12 Drew Bugner
: 6' 2"; Junior; R/R
: INF

#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

#19 Cooper Crouch
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

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