PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University softball team will stay within the state of Kansas this weekend with a pair of conference doubleheaders against the Emporia State University Hornets and Washburn University Ichabods.
 
First pitch against ESU on Friday (Mar. 27) at the Trusler Sports Complex, is set at 2:00 p.m. (CDT). Saturday (Mar. 28) Washburn will host Pitt State at Gahnstrom Field in a twin bill that will start at 1:00 p.m.
 
Pittsburg State (30-1, 4-0 MIAA) is ranked No. 7 in the latest NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll, has won 10 straight games and is 8-0 on the road this season. Last weekend, the Gorillas scored 50 runs in 23 innings of play against the University of Nebraska – Kearney Lopers (Mar. 20) and Fort Hays State University Tigers (Mar. 21).
 
As a team, Pitt State is hitting .393 with 9.5 runs and 10.9 hits a game. From the circle as a pitching staff the Gorillas own a 2.17 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and .212 opponent batting average.
 
Leading the charge on offense is Heather Arnett (.577) with 71 hits, 51 runs scored, 31 RBI and 28 stolen bases. Kadyn Trochim (.449) leads the team with 48 RBI from 40 hits, while coming away with a team-high 13 doubles and 23 walks drawn. Alleyna Rushing (.429) has collected 42 hits, scored 39 runs, driven in 19 runs and stolen 14 bases. Sailor Hall (.371) leads the team with eight home runs to go with having 33 total hits, 30 runs scored, 12 doubles and 27 RBI. Lexi Davis (.367) this season is second on the team with 41 RBI and four home runs. Rachael Schlotter (.328) and Haili Igou (.304) round out the qualified hitters batting above .300 this season.
 
In the circle, Emma Crabb (10-0, 1.47 ERA, 0.84 WHIP) leads the team with 57.0 innings of work, 57 strikeouts and a .178 opponent batting average. Ava Laurent (8-1, 2.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) in 52.2 innings is holding opponents to a .200 average and striking out 48 hitters. Lexi Franklin (7-0, 2.59 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) in 51.1 innings has struck out 43 batters while holding opponents to a .235 average. Hall (5-0, 1.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) in 27.1 innings is holding opponents to a .264 average with only four walks drawn and 27 strikeouts issued.
 
Emporia State (19-8, 5-1 MIAA) enters the weekend on a three game winning streak and are 5-1 at home so far this season. The Hornets all-time against PSU have an 82-67 advantage in the series but the Gorillas are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings, being on a four game winning streak currently.
 
Addison Callaway (.393) leads the team in average while having 24 hits, 21 runs scored and 16 RBI. Brooke Flewelling (.376) is the team leader with 35 hits, 24 runs scored, 11 home runs and 28 RBI. Elina Bartlett (.368), Taryn Burkhardt (.360), Avery Brewer (.338) and Kinsey Perine (.303) round out the qualified hitters batting above .300. Burkhardt, is second on the team with 32 hits and 22 runs scored while swiping a team-high 22 bases.
 
In the circle, Hannah Butterbaugh (9-2, 1.17 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) leads the team with 78.0 innings of work, 42 strikeouts and a .212 opponent average. Izzy Sloan (1-1, 3.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP), Chloe Wilson (3-3, 3.16 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) and Morgan Tomlinson (5-1, 3.89 ERA, 1.67 WHIP) are the other members of the staff who could start or pitch in relief. Sloan in 34.1 innings of work has struck out 25 while holding opponents to a .263 average. Wilson in 31.0 innings has walked eight and struck out 10 while opponents are hitting .349. Tomlinson, in 27.0 innings is limiting opponents to a .342 average while striking out 16 hitters.
 
Washburn (24-11, 1-5 MIAA) will begin the weekend on a three game losing streak while being 5-4 at home. All-time against the Gorillas, the Ichabods are 77-67 and have gone 4-6 in the last 10 games, Pitt State will enter the doubleheader on a four game winning streak against WU.
 
Mackenzie Sais (.386) leads Division II and is running down the MIAA season stolen base record with 57 successful attempts in 62 tries, the speedster leads the Ichabods with 44 hits and 33 runs scored as well. Taylor Brees (.372) has collected 32 hits, scored 26 runs and driven in 21 runs while being walked 24 times. Kate Dolan (.359), Kate Ediger (.356), Aspen Burgardt (.347) and Dalaney Anderson (.319) round out the qualified hitters batting above .300. Anderson is the leading power bat with eight home runs and 40 RBI on the season.
 
In the circle, Sadie Walker (12-6, 2.18 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) in 115.2 innings has struck out 98 hitters while limiting opponents to a .254 average. Kierra Goos (6-2, 3.76 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) and Jenna Sprague (3-2, 2.62 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) are the other pitchers that could either start or come out of the bullpen. Goos in 44.2 innings is limiting opponents to a .246 average while striking out 38 batters. Sprague in 42.2 innings has struck out 25 hitters while holding opponents to a .283 average.