Local Sports - The Morning Sun

Girard boys win Frontenac Invitational title

FRONTENAC, Kan. — Frontenac freshman Reece Franklin started her high school track and field career in style by setting two school records in her first meet last Friday at the Gorilla Relays … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 4/10/25

PSU senior pitcher Tanner Leslie fires one Monday afternoon against Newman at Al Ortolani Field. BROCK SISNEY / THE MORNING SUN

Gorillas ground Jets for series sweep

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The Pittsburg State Gorillas baseball team completed a three-game sweep over the Newman Jets with a 5-1 victory Monday at Al Ortolani Field, extending their winning streak to eight games. … more

By Kalon Fullerton [email protected] | 4/9/25

Pittsburg State junior shortstop Heather Arnett connects with the go-ahead two-run double in the first game of a MIAA doubleheader Monday afternoon against Northwest Missouri. BROCK SISNEY / THE MORNING SUN

No. 23 PSU rallies past Bearcats in opener

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Pittsburg State softball improved to 28-9 on the season, 9-2 in the MIAA and 13-0 on its home field with a 5-3 win Monday afternoon over Northwest Missouri. The Gorillas erased a 3-1 deficit … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 4/9/25

Raiders outlast Tigers in pitchers' duel

The Frontenac Raiders handed the Fort Scott Tigers their first loss of the season in a battle between two of the best pitchers in the state on Monday in Fort Scott. Frontenac pitcher Avery Johson … more

By Kalon Fullerton [email protected] | 4/9/25

St. Mary’s Colgan catcher Carston Simmons throws out a Girard runner at first on a bunt attempt in the seventh inning of the first game of a CNC League doubleheader Monday night. BROCK SISNEY / THE MORNING SUN

Panthers sweep Girard in league opener

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GIRARD, Kan. — St. Mary's Colgan baseball opened CNC League play Monday night with a pair of victories against Girard at Red Wutke Park, 2-1 and 4-2. Colgan pitchers Brady VanBecelaere, … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 4/9/25

Pittsburg senior Jett Burgess throws out a runner Tuesday against Chanute at Jaycee Ballpark. BROCK SISNEY / THE MORNING SUN

Pittsburg wins nail-biter on sixth inning rally

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Pittsburg baseball evened its record at 2-2 and improved to 2-0 in Southeast Kansas League play with a 4-2 win Tuesday against Chanute at historic Jaycee Ballpark. The Purple Dragons ended with … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 4/4/25

Six-run sixth leads Nevada past Colgan

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The Nevada Tigers smashed a 3-all score with six runs in the sixth and then closed the door shut on St. Mary's Colgan in the seventh to earn a 9-3 win Tuesday night at historic Lyons Stadium in … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 4/3/25

Pittsburg State, pictured celebrating its Elite Eight victory over Lubbock Christian, is No. 2 in the final WBCA NCAA Division II poll.

Gorillas rank No. 2 in final Division II poll

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In an appropriate finish to an historical season, Pittsburg State is ranked No. 2 in the final Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division II poll, which was released late Monday afternoon. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 4/2/25

Raiders prevail 1-0 against Nevada

Frontenac pitchers Jack Murphy and Jake Capehart combined on a three-hit shutout and Korbin Niegsch scored the game’s lone run on a Luke Sneed hit in the third inning during a 1-0 win Monday … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 4/2/25

Pittsburg's Mahan inks with Coffeyville

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Pittsburg Purple Dragon senior lineman Liam Mahan committed to continue his football career at the collegiate level on Monday, signing to play at Coffeyville Community College. “It was … more

By Kalon Fullerton [email protected] | 4/1/25

Pittsburg catcher Max Busch throws out Parsons’ Andrew Houk during their game Friday at Jaycee Ballpark. BROCK SISNEY / THE MORNING SUN

Pittsburg steamrolls Parsons in SEK opener

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The Pittsburg Purple Dragons earned their first win of the season in a big way with a 16-1 run-rule victory in four innings over Parsons in their Southeast Kansas League opener Friday at historic … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 4/1/25

Gorillas set six D2-leading marks

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Pittsburg State’s track and field athletes registered six top marks in NCAA Division II and broke five school records during competitions at three meets last weekend. Sprinter Dapriest … more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 4/1/25

Six-run inning propels PSU past Rogers State

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A six-run fourth inning powered No. 25 Pittsburg State past No. 8 Rogers State 6-3 Friday afternoon to complete a sweep of their MIAA softball doubleheader at the RBC Bank Sports Complex in … more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 4/1/25

Pittsburg State baseball coach Bob Fornelli notched his 1,100th career victory with the Gorillas' 13-6 victory over Northeastern State on Sunday afternoon at Al Ortolani Field.

Gorillas' series sweep gives Fornelli 1,100th win

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Pittsburg State erupted for eight runs in the first inning en route to a 13-6 victory over Northeastern State on Sunday afternoon to complete a sweep of their MIAA baseball series at Al Ortolani … more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 4/1/25

Pittsburg State's Karenna Gerber works inside against Grand Valley State's Rylie Bisballe during Wednesday night's national semifinal game in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Gorillas' final comeback falls short

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PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Second-half comebacks certainly aren’t anything new for Pittsburg State. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 3/27/25

Pittsburg State's basketball players were all smiles when they were greeted by injured teammate Macie Mays on Wednesday afternoon in the hotel lobby in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Macie Mays surprises teammates

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PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Pittsburg State’s women’s basketball team had a surprise Wednesday afternoon. more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 3/27/25

Lakers end Gorillas' season in semifinals 68-61

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PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Nicole Kamin took over in the fourth quarter to spark top-seeded Grand Valley State past fourth-seeded Pittsburg State 68-61 Wednesday night in an NCAA Division II semifinal game … more

By Jim Henry [email protected] | 3/27/25

Pittsburg senior Alex Johnston steals second in the third inning Tuesday against Neosho, Mo. BROCK SISNEY / THE MORNING SUN

Pittsburg baseball opens with loss to Neosho

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The visiting Neosho (Mo.) Wildcats proved to be a formidable challenge in the season opener for the Pittsburg baseball team Tuesday at historic Jaycee Ballpark. Neosho, who opened the season 4-1 … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 3/27/25

Girard senior Houston McGown signed Wednesday afternoon with Pittsburg State, surrounded by friends, family, coaches and administration. BROCK SISNEY / THE MORNING SUN

Distance success McGown signs with Pittsburg State

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GIRARD, Kan. — Girard senior runner Houston McGown signed Wednesday afternoon with Pittsburg State to continue his academic and athletic career in cross country and track and field. … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 3/27/25

Pittsburg State pitcher Tanner Leslie fires one to the plate Sunday against Fort Hays State at Al Ortolani Field. BROCK SISNEY / THE MORNING SUN

Tigers take three game series from Gorillas

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The No. 27-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers won the three-game MIAA weekend series with a 5-4 victory Sunday afternoon against Pittsburg State at Al Ortolani Field. Like the series opener Friday, … more

By Brock Sisney [email protected] | 3/26/25