March 24, 2026
Pittsburg, Kansas doesn't sound like a baseball hotbed. But Pittsburg State is -1 in 2026, ranked No. 1 in all of Division II, and running through the competition like it's nothing. Fresh off a record-breaking 42-12 season and an NCAA Super Regional berth, they enter 2026 with a new head coach, 30 new players, and absolutely zero drop-off.
This is D2 baseball at its best. And it's wide open.
If you're a parent looking to get your athlete to the next level, I do exactly that.
Building the Future:
2027 & 2028 Commits: Actively recruiting as they continue building championship-level depth.
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Program at a Glance
- Location: Pittsburg, Kansas
- Division: NCAA D2 — MIAA Conference
- Stadium: Al Ortolani Field
- Head Coach: Brock Buckingham (1st year, 2026)
- 2026 Record: 19-1 overall, 9-1 MIAA (through March 9)
- 2025 Season: 42-12, program-record wins, NCAA Super Regionals
- Program History: 46 years, 6 head coaches, consistent postseason presence
2026 Season — What's Happening Right Now
The Gorillas lead the MIAA and are ranked No. 1 in the country. A first-year coach inherited a program on fire — and hasn't skipped a beat.
Key players driving the run:
- Dagen Brewer — Preseason D2 Player of the Year candidate. Hitting .567 with 8 home runs, 41 RBI, and a 33-game hitting streak dating back to 2025 — an MIAA record
- Eric Bacon — Transfer from JUCO, hitting .509 in his first season at the D2 level
- Landin Midgett — .471 average, 21 RBI, named Central Region Hitter of the Week
- Zach Voss — Ace of the rotation, 6-0 with a 1.13 ERA
Team stats (Top 5 in all of D2):
- .382 team batting average (2nd in D2)
- .498 team on-base percentage (1st in D2)
- 13.1 runs per game (3rd in D2)
- 3.10 team ERA (3rd in D2)
The Legacy Behind the Numbers
This program doesn't have a national title, but it has something just as valuable — consistency. Under legendary coach Bob Fornelli (2019-2025), the Gorillas went 215-116, posted six 30-win seasons, and built one of the most respected programs in D2.
Fornelli retired after 2025 and was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in January 2026 — the capstone of a 29-year, 1,120-win career. New coach Brock Buckingham spent 17 seasons at Cowley College, helping the program win 720 games, nine conference titles, and five JUCO World Series appearances.
The tradition didn't leave with Fornelli. It stayed in the building.
Why Pitt State Right Now
- Ranked No. 1 in all of D2 entering spring 2026
- New coaching staff means real opportunity — 30 roster spots were filled this offseason and more will open
- MIAA is one of the toughest D2 conferences in the country — scouts and pro organizations pay attention
- Smaller campus, tight-knit culture, baseball comes first
- A program that develops players without the noise of a major D1 environment
How We Help
Most families guess their way through recruiting, hoping the right email or showcase gets noticed. We replace that guesswork with a clear, proven plan: the right timeline, targeted outreach, strategic exposure, and polished videos that stand out.
Your athlete won't just be seen, they'll be pursued.
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To your son's success.
P.S. I help baseball players get interest and offers from their top colleges. Over 450 committed players.
- Premier Athletes Recruiting Program (4-figure investment) – Full-service: coaches outreach, video creation, bi-weekly check-ins, and our proven playbook to turn interest into legit offers.
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About Alex
Meet your college baseball recruiting specialist: Alex Swenson.
As a high school baseball player, I navigated the college recruiting process all on my own. Despite average statistics, I landed a spot on a Division-1 baseball team Jacksonville University, where I became a 3-time team captain. Post-college, I became a D1 coach, scout, and recruiter at Georgetown University and Ole Miss, where we won an SEC championship.
After experiencing the process as both recruit and recruiter, I’ve successfully dissected the best strategies to connect with college coaches and draw offers from them.
After experiencing the process as both recruit and recruiter, I’ve successfully dissected the best strategies to connect with college coaches and draw offers from them.
Learn more about Alex’s Experience
Premier Athletes Recruiting Program
Receive professional direction from Alex himself until your son commits to his desired school. A step-by-step action plan will be provided with strategic small-group coaching meetings every 2 weeks to ensure we are making progress. Included is a baseball networking platform that connects him to coaches, optimizes his exposure to scouts, alerts him to college camps and showcases, and MUCH MORE.
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