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It’s a new year and a new season for Pitt State baseball fans, and things are looking up early for the Gorillas. Last year was a strong year for Gorilla baseball, as they went 42-12 overall, making their way into the NCAA DII Regional Championship game before falling short against #3 ranked Central Missouri. Pitt State looks primed to continue competing at a high level, as they started this season winning three games in a row in dominant fashion over Southern Arkansas this past weekend. This also marks the beginning of a new era for the Gorillas, as new head coach Brock Buckingham started his Pitt State career off strong.
The Gorillas traveled to Magnolia, Arkansas, in a three-game series against the Muleriders. The first game was played Sunday early afternoon and was a resounding 11-2 win over Southern Arkansas. Things were tied up after the first inning at one apiece, before a three-run third inning broke it open for the Gorillas. Pitt State would continue to pile on the points throughout the game, bringing in three runs in the same inning twice.
Senior Grant Nottleman led Pitt State on offense, going three for five at the plate with a triple and five runs driven in. Senior leadoff hitter Jaydn McNealy earned three hits, one of which was a double, and scored twice in the game. Preseason All-American senior Dagen Brewer continued his hot hitting from the 2025 campaign, going 2-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI, while newcomer redshirt senior Isaac Webb went 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored.
UCO senior transfer Preston Giltner limited SAU to one run on three hits over 3.0 innings of work to open the game. Junior Bradyn McClure (1-0) earned the win by tossing 4.0 innings of one-hit relief. He issued two walks and registered five strikeouts. Redshirt junior Bradley Neill also tossed two clean innings with two strikeouts on the back end.
Game two of the doubleheaders looked to be a much closer game for the first half, as the Gorillas held a thin 2-1 lead after the fourth inning. Pitt State would explode on offense at the top of the fifth, knocking in 11 straight runs to turn the game into a rout.
Junior newcomer Eric Bacon went 3-for-4 with a double and four runs scored, while Brewer doubled and drove in three runs. Brewer tied the Pitt State record for consecutive hits (22) in the contest. Junior Landon Bruce also had three hits and a pair of RBI, while Webb added two hits and three RBI. Starter Graduate Student Zach Voss (1-0) limited SAU to one run on two hits over 4.0 innings of work. Redshirt junior Ty Blecha (2.0 IP) and redshirt freshman Porter Starnes (1.0 IP) collaborated to toss three scoreless innings of relief.
The series sweep was secured on Monday, as the Gorillas dominated again in a 13-3 victory over the Muleriders. Pitt State would score six runs in the second inning, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back.
Bacon paced Pitt State’s 14-hit attack by going 4-for-5 with a double, a triple and five runs batted in. Brewer smacked a two-run home run as part of the Gorillas’ six-run second inning, setting the Pitt State record for consecutive games hit streak (23).
Webb also enjoyed a four-hit game, delivering a double and a triple while driving in a pair of runs. Redshirt junior Cason Long (1-0) earned the win in relief. Long, who returned to the field after missing the 2025 season due to injury, worked in 2.0 hitless innings, issuing three walks and registering three strikeouts. Redshirt sophomore Elijah Seitz started the game and limited SAU to one run on four hits over 3.0 innings of work.
The Gorillas will return to action, when they travel to the Edmond First Pitch Classic starting Thursday.
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