LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb. 7)– The Central Washington University softball team finished off a successful trip to Las Vegas with a 5-4 win over Cal State San Bernardino to improve to 4-1 on the season.  The game marked the final competition for the Wildcats in the Desert Stinger hosted by Montana State Billings University.
 
"First of all it was just a great effort by our support staff and coaching staff to get us ready for this trip," CWU Head Coach Mike Larabee said.  "Having practiced inside since the start of break, there we weren't exactly sure how that would translate onto the field, but our girls put forth a lot of effort and a lot of fight.  We were very close to being 5-0, but we are staying humble and hungry as we head into the next portion of our schedule."
 
The Wildcats fought back from an early deficit for the fourth-consecutive game scoring once in the fourth innings and two runs in both the fifth and the sixth to erase a 0-2 hole.
 
"Our kids believe that we can beat anyone if we play to our ability," Larabee added.  "We do not focus on what the other teams have, we focus on what we can do and try to execute that each inning."
 
Brielle Copodonna drove in the first run of the game for CWU on a infield single that plated Kailyn Campbell.  The very next inning Campbell singled home Remy Bradley, and four pitches later Austin Wilkerson scored Taylor Ferleman with a single up the middle to give the Wildcats a 3-2 edge.
 
Central Washington added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a single by Sammy Morris that scored Celine Fowler.  Ferleman doubled on the next pitch and scored Andrea Hamada from third base to up the CWU lead to 5-2.
 
The Coyotes rallied in the top of the seventh scoring two runs on four hits and stranded the bases loaded as CWU escaped with the 5-4 win.
 
Copodonna notched her second win of the season, pitching in relief of Kiana Wood.
 
The Wildcats outhit CSUSB 11-8, but committed four errors that led to two unearned runs against CWU.
 
Over the course of the weekend, Copodonna led the Wildcats with a .444 batting average, collecting four hits in nine at bats with one homerun and three RBI.  Campbell was the team leader in hits and RBI with seven and five, respectively.

"I'm not surprised by Brielle's production this weekend.  Her mechanics were one of the best we saw this fall and through winter practices," Larabee said.  "And Campbell is just beginning to realize her potential, which is scary because she is already a phenomenal talent."
 
Coach Larabee also showed an aggressive style of base running with the Wildcats stealing six bases in seven attempts as six different base runners swiped a back on the trip.
 
Wood finished the Stinger with a 2-0 record and a 2.23 earned run average and picked up a save as well. 
 
Central Washington will next travel to California to play three sets of double headers starting with Academy of Art on Feb. 12, followed by Dominican University and Notre Dame De Namur on Feb. 13 and 14, respectively.