RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Thanks to the fickleness of winter weather, the Arkansas Tech softball team will get to make its season debut at the Chartwells Women's Sports Complex a little bit early, hosting Pittsburg State in a doubleheader Thursday beginning at noon.

The No. 18 Golden Suns (4-0) achieved their first-ever national ranking from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association thanks to a tremendous start last weekend at the 8-State Classic. A walk-off win against Northwest Missouri State was followed by a solid 7-2 victory over then-No. 18 Emporia State Friday, and Saturday brought 13-4 and 11-2 thumpings of Central Region foes Nebraska-Kearney and Minnesota State. The Gorillas (3-1) earned easy wins over Minnesota State and Southern Nazarene, had to sneak by Arkansas-Monticello and dropped a 4-3 decision to Northwestern Oklahoma at the 8-State Classic.

The Tech offense was on fire to start the season, batting .475 as a team, smacking 58 hits and scoring 39 runs in the four games. Seven Golden Suns are batting at least .400, led by GAC Player of the Week Kambri Hill, who hit .615 with three home runs, seven RBIs and seven runs scored. Courtney Colunga posted a .571 average with a pair of home runs and nine RBIs. Whitney Robinson is batting an even .500 with four RBIs and a homer, while Jalissa Gum and Ashley Savage each poked a pair of home runs and knocked in four runs over the weekend. The Tech pitchers were equally impressive, posting a 3.50 team ERA. Victoria Huie earned a pair of wins for the Suns, tossing nine innings and allowing just a pair of runs while striking out six. Sydnee Clark went five innings over two appearances, earning a win as well. Morgan Vaughan started a pair of games over the weekend, picking up one win in her eight innings pitched while striking out seven to just three walks.

Pitt State's offense also looked impressive, with Cheslyn Mitchell batting .588 with seven runs scored, and McKenzie Rynard adding a .538 average with six RBIs and eight runs scored, with three home runs and a pair of doubles to her name. Kylie Guthier and Nicole Nease each added a pair of home runs and a double to knock in six RBIs apiece.

Emmie Robertson tossed 14 2/3 innings, posting a 0.95 ERA and a 2-1 record with two complete games.

Live statistics from the game will be available at www.arkansastechsports.com.