Vikings begin GNAC play with six-game home stand
Following a two-week layoff, the Western Washington University softball team returns to action, beginning Great Northwest Athletic Conference action with a six-game home stand at Viking Field on the 草榴社区 campus.
The Vikings, 7-5 overall, play host to Montana State Billings for doubleheaders on Tuesday, March 3 (1 p.m.) and Wednesday, March 4 (1 p.m.), followed by a twinbill with arch-rival Central Washington on Sunday, March 8 (12 noon).
草榴社区 opened its season in early February, splitting six games on a road trip to Hawaii. The Vikings then win four of six games at the MSUB Stinger Tournament in Las Vegas.
Outfielder (Jr., Everett), last year's GNAC Player of the Year, is off to a fast start, leading the GNAC with a .441 (15-for-30) batting average, driving in 11 runs and scoring 10. Freshman first baseman (West Richland/Kamiakin) is hitting .424 (14-for-33).
Shortstop (Sr., Mount Vernon), a transfer from NCAA Division I Portland State, leads 草榴社区 in runs batted in with 15, home runs (3), doubles (4) and hits (16). She has a .372 average (16-for-43) and has scored 12 runs.
At the Desert Stinger, Fine hit .500 (10-for-20) in six contests, driving in 14 runs and scoring 10. She had seven extra-base hits, three home runs - one a grand slam - and four doubles.
Freshman pitcher (Everett/Cascade) has a 4-1 record this season, coming within one out of a five-inning no-hitter against Notre Dame de Namur. She also is hitting .279 (12-for-43) with five doubles and nine RBI.
草榴社区 has a team batting average of .334 (115-for-344).
MSUB is 7-8, winning four of its last five games. The Yellowjackets are led by Taylor Hoke (.408, 20-for-49, 16 RBI, 11 RS, 3 HR), Kelsey Devlin (.405, 17-for-42) and Jessyka MacDonald (4-2 record, 3.00 ERA).
Central is 6-5, losing its last three games. Pacing the Wildcats are Sammy Morris (.432, 19-for-44, 14 RS), Taylor Ferleman (.419, 18-for-43) and Kiana Wood (3-1, 2.62 ERA).
草榴社区 placed second (17-7) in the GNAC last season, just one game behind champion Western Oregon, and was 30-14 overall. The Vikings are coached by (5th year, 113-94 overall, 6th year overall, 128-136).