PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University softball team is set to host the MIAA/NSIC Conference Challenge at the Pittsburg State Softball Field this weekend.
 
First pitch against the University of Sioux Falls (Mar. 13) is set for 3 p.m. (CDT) and against St. Cloud State University (Mar. 14) at Noon in doubleheader action.
 
Last weekend the Gorillas (22-1) picked up a pair of run rule wins over the Minnesota State – Moorhead Dragons (Mar. 8) in a return to the friendly confines of the Pittsburg State Softball Field.
 
Heather Arnett was named the MIAA Hitter of the Week for her efforts in helping the Gorillas sweep the Dragons and in the process became the MIAA career hits leader with 313 and counting. This season the Pittsburg, Kan., native is hitting .589 with 53 hits, 40 runs scored, 23 stolen bases and 19 RBI. Kadyn Trochim (.492) leads the team with 38 RBI on the season and is tied for the team lead with eight doubles. Alleyna Rushing (.403) this season has accumulated 29 hits, 28 runs scored, 15 RBI and swiped 12 bags. Sailor Hall (.403) has hit a team-high seven home runs to go with 20 RBI, 25 hits, 22 runs scored and is a valuable piece of the pitching staff. Rachael Schlotter (.372) has 18 RBI from 16 hits and scored 16 times herself. Lexi Davis (.344) rounds out the qualified hitters batting above .300 this season with 21 hits, 28 RBI, 18 runs scored and eight doubles.
 
In the circle, Ava Laurent (7-1, 2.47 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) leads the team with 45.1 innings of work with a .190 opponent batting average and 39 strikeouts. Emma Crabb (7-0, 1.69 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) in 41.1 innings has struck out 42 batters while limiting opponents to a .186 average. Lexi Franklin (5-0, 3.12 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) in 33.2 innings of work has struck out 34 as opponents are hitting .233 against. Hall (3-0, 1.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP), Erica Schertz (0-0, 1.24 ERA, 2.12 WHIP) and Amanda Gibilisco (0-0, 7.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP) round out the pitching staff.
 
USF (12-9) is led on offense by Kyra Knudtson with a .371 average, 23 hits, 12 RBI 11 runs scored and seven walks drawn. Emma Kristof (.369) leads the team with eight doubles, 24 hits and 13 runs scored while driving in 12 runs. Meghan Jochimsen (.348) is the other qualified hitter batting above .300 entering this weekend and leads the team with three triples and 11 stolen bases in as many attempts. In the circle, Maddi Duncan (7-3, 1.02 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) leads the team with 68.1 innings of work, 94 strikeouts and a .129 opponent batting average. Lauryn Foudree (4-5, 2.966 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) is the other staring pitcher for USF and in 52.0 innings has struck out 41 batters while holding them to a .253 average. Ava Mejia (1-1, 2.14 ERA, 1.47 WHIP) is the top option from the pen with 19.2 innings of work, striking out and issuing seven walks as opponents hit .272.
 
SCSU (18-4) is led by Bethany Weiss with a .392 average, 29 hits, 14 runs scored and 20 runs driven in. Kennedy Palmer (.370) has collected 17 hits and swiped five bags, Brooke Holmes (.362) has scored a team-high 19 runs with 25 hits, and five stolen bases. Morgan Honeycutt (.333) is the final member of the team that is a qualified hitter batting above .300 this season and leads the team with a pair of home runs. Macey Clark (7-2, 1.46 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) leads the team with 57.2 innings of work and 51 strikeouts while opponents are hitting .207. Justyce Porter (7-2, 1.57 ERA, 0.89 WHIP) in 53.2 innings has struck out 32 hitters while holding opponents to a .188 average. Alyssa Kunz (4-0, 0.51 ERA, 0.88 WHIP) in 27.1 innings has struck out 34 batters while holding opponents down to a .133 average.