Pitt State Baseball

Al Ortolani Field

    The Pittsburg State baseball program enters its 15th full season at its on-campus facility, Al Ortolani Field.
Ortolani Field continues to draw reviews as one of the top playing facilities in the midwest.

Pittsburg State moved into its new facility on April 1, 1995.  The Gorillas had played at the city-owned and shared Jaycee Ball Park from 1962-72 and again from 1991-95.

The baseball facility is named in honor of longtime PSU athletic trainer Al Ortolani, who was the Gorillas first baseball coach (1962-72).  Ortolani guided PSU to a 95-90 overall record, including a pair of Central Intercollegiate Conference titles and a trip to the NAIA District III playoffs.

After dropping a twinbill to Lincoln University on the inaugural day at Ortolani Field on April 1, 1995, the Gorillas won their remaining eight games at the facility in ’95.

In 1996, PSU posted an 18-12 record in its first full season at Al Ortolani Field.  The Gorillas were 22-7 at their home park in 1997, 25-7 in 1998, 23-3 in 1999, 20-9 in 2000, 17-12 in 2001, 26-9 in 2002, 25-8 in 2003, 24-14 in 2004, 21-9 in 2005, 17-14 in 2006, 18-21 in 2007 and 12-12 in 2008.  Last year, PSU posted a 7-20 home record, bringing its all-time record at the facility to 283-159 (.640).

Al Ortolani Field received a major boost prior to the 2003 season with the installation of lights to the facility.
Future plans remain in the works to construct permanent seating and a press box at the facility.  Al Ortolani Field is part of PSU’s Gene Bicknell Sports Complex, which includes the PSU Softball Complex as well as a pair of intramural fields.

Pitt State at Home
Year    Record   Pct.
1995      8-  2  .800
1996     18- 12  .600
1997     22-  7  .759
1998     25-  7  .781
1999     23-  3  .885
2000     20-  9  .690
2001     17- 12  .586
2002     26-  9  .743
2003     25-  8  .758
2004     24- 14  .632
2005     21-  9  .700
2006     17- 14  .548
2007     18- 21  .462
2008     12- 12  .500
2009      7- 20  .259
Totals  283-159  .640

Ortolani Field Milestones
Win No. 1
vs. Lincoln, April 2, 1995 (22-6)
Win No. 50
vs. Bemidji State, March 3, 1998 (9-0)
Win No. 100
vs. Huron, S.D., March 10, 2000 (3-2)
Win No. 200
vs. Truman, April 3, 2004 (6-3)
Win No. 250
vs. SW Minnesota State, March 4, 2007 (16-12)
Largest Margin of Victory
32, vs. Missouri S&T, April 21, 1999 (33-1)
Consecutive Wins
11, 3/23/98 - 4/11/98; 3/10/99 - 3/21/99
First No-Hitter
vs. Wayne State, Feb. 17, 1996 (2-0)