Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney baseball teams heads South to face the Pittsburg State Gorillas this weekend in Kansas.

Due to the Easter Holiday, the series has been moved up to a Thursday-Saturday format. Check the Loper schedule page for media links, first pitch times and possible changes due to weather. Rain is in the forecast for Friday.

UNK (12-23, 5-17) is 9-5 against PSU (14-22, 8-14) since joining the league back in 2013. That includes series wins each of the past three seasons; note the Lopers haven't had to go to Pitt since 2014. 

This Pitt squad, led by former Central Missouri skipper Tom Myers, is 9-11 at home after beating Northeastern State, 4-3, and rival Missouri Southern State, 9-3, in the past week.

Relief pitchers Ty Rowe (4-0, 2.51, 18 appearances) and Cooper Gardner (4-1, 6.23 ERA, 21 appearances) lead a staff that sports a 6.48 ERA and averages eight strikeouts per game. Rowe is a 6-3 senior right hander with Gardner a 5-9 junior lefty.

Among the Gorilla starters is Texas A & M transfer Cody Whiting (3-5, 5.90 ERA, 11 starts).

Hitting a solid .304, Pitt has managed 69 doubles and 38 homers to date. They aren't a running team as they've swiped just 15 bases in 21 attempts.

Junior infielders Dallas Reed (.390, 12 doubles, seven HR's & 40 RBI's) and Colton Pogue (.366, 14 doubles, seven HR's & 39 RBI's) lead the way with junior first baseman Andrew Vogelbaugh (.289 avg.) having a team-best eight bombs.

The Lopers, fresh off a rare five-game home stand, are 7-18 in true road contest this year. Having won three of four, Kearney has hit 69 doubles and 21 dingers after Tuesday's 6-4 victory over Fort Hays State.

Junior catcher/designated hitter Dallas Schramm leads in both two (12) and four (seven) baggers with three others tied for second with eight doubles a piece. Senior outfielder Easton Edmond (five) and sophomore outfielder Pate Katechis (three) are the other Lopers with three or more homers.

On the mound, senior relievers Weston Glienke (3-0, two saves, 16 appearances) and Sean Laughlin (2-0, 18 appearances) have been busy. The pair have combined for 52 K's and just 10 walks in 45.2 combined innings.

UNK heads to Fort Hays State next Tuesday (April 17) and then hosts Missouri Western State next weekend.