PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University softball team will play at the Pittsburg State Softball Field for the first time in 2026 as part of the MIAA/GLVC Crossover (Feb. 21-22).
 
First pitch against the University of Missouri – St. Louis on Saturday (Feb. 21) is set for 1:00 p.m. (CST) with game two of a double header set to begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one against UMSL. Against McKendree (Feb. 22) first pitch is set for Noon for game one of a twin bill with the second game starting approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
 
Pittsburg State (13-0) is off to the best start in program history following the Embry-Riddle Invitational (Jan. 30-31), Southern Colorado Crossover (Feb. 6-8) and Branson D2 Battle Tournament (Feb. 12-13). As a team the Gorillas have put up 109 runs (8.4 per game) and 137 hits (10.5) for a .366 average, .466 on base percentage highlighted by 69 walks (5.3) and a .524 slugging percentage with 10 home runs (0.8). In the circle, Pitt State owns a 1.65 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and .195 opponent batting average in 85.0 innings, striking out 74 (6.1) opponents.
 
Individually, in the circle the Gorillas are led by Emma Crabb (4-0, 0.31 ERA, 0.75 WHIP)  with 22 strikeouts in 22.2 innings and limiting opponents to a .141 average. Ava Laurent (4-0, 2.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP) leads the team with 28.1 innings of work and has struck out 20 batters while holding opponents to a .178 average. Lexi Franklin (3-0, 2.37 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) in 20.2 innings has struck out 21 batters, held opponents to a .218 average and issued only three walks. Sailor Hall (2-0, 1.17 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) in 12.0 innings has struck out 10 batters while issuing no walks.
 
The offense is led off by Heather Arnett with a .556 average, 30 hits, 21 runs scored, 12 RBI and eight stolen bases. Kadyn Trochim leads the team with 21 runs driven in while hitting .450 with 18 hits, three doubles, 10 runs scored and 10 walks drawn. Alleyna Rushing is hitting .426 with 20 hits, 16 runs scored, eight RBI and eight stolen bases. Hall in the box is hitting .333 with a team-high four home runs for a .767 slugging percentage. Rachael Schlotter rounds out the qualified hitters batting above .300 so far this season at .320 with 11 RBI from eight hits and scoring six runs herself. Kyleigh Lamont (.286) and Haili Igou (.262) are second on the team with two home runs hits this season.
 
UMSL (4-5) will face off against Pittsburg State for the second time this season after falling 10-3 on Feb. 12 at the Branson D2 Battle Tournament. This season the Tritons are led on offense by Kiley Sullivan with a .455 average, 10 hits and seven runs scored. Kaytie Kossina (.412), May Pasqualini (.400), Gracie Philpot (.320), Keira Hayton (.318) and Simia Spahiev (.304) are the other qualified hitters batting above. 300. In the circle, Ashley Borowitz (2-2, 4.29 ERA, 1.65 WHIP) leads the team with 16.1 innings of work with opponents hitting .319 against her. Ashley Ware (1-0, 2.21 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) in 12.2 innings has opponents hitting .245. Kenzie Stoltz (1-2, 3.50 ERA, 1.93 WHIP) in 14.0 innings has stuck out a team-high 18 batters but walked 15 as opponents are hitting .235 against her.
 
No. 24 McKendree will enter the weekend at 6-2 overall and will begin the week against No. 7 Missouri Southern in the MIAA/GLVC Crossover. Lauren Harris leads the team with a .500 average, 14 hits, 10 runs scored 12 RBI and three stolen bases. Sami Huck (.429), Trista Moore (.409) and Ali Grenzebach (.333) are the other members of the team that are qualified hitters to bat above .300 so far this season. In the circle, Ellie Vetter (4-0, 1.46 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) leads the team with 24.0 innings, 33 strikeouts and a .185 opponent batting average. Huck (1-2, 4.57 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) in the circle has pitched 23.0 innings with 26 strikeouts and opponents hitting .253 against her.