Pittsburg State has turned to the winningest coach of two MIAA school’s to be their new head baseball coach. Bob Fornelli, who is the winningest coach at both Fort Hays State and Emporia State, announced Tuesday he’s leaving the Hornet program after 15 years to take over the Gorillas.

Fornelli replaces Tom Myers who stepped down after two seasons as head coach.

At his alma mater Emporia State, Fornelli guided the Hornets to a 599-266 (.692) record in 15 seasons. He led the Hornets to 13 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances and two trips to the D2 World Series and a national runner-up finish in 2009. Under his guidance, ESU won five MIAA regular season crowns (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2017) and a pair of MIAA Tournament titles (2007, 2014).

Fornelli compiled a 306-113 (.730) record in seven seasons at Fort Hays State. He led the Tigers to four Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles and six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a berth in the D2 national championship game in 2000. He remains the winningest head coach in FHSU program history.

Fornelli has a 905-379 (.705) record in 22 years as a collegiate head coach with 19 NCAA II Tournament appearances.

Prior to his tenure at FHSU, Fornelli served as pitching coach at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan., from 1992-96. The Grizzlies posted a 195-86 (.694) record during his five seasons on staff, finishing third in the NJCAA World Series in 1994.