ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Feb. 9) – The 2016 Central Washington University baseball season officially kicks off tomorrow against Lewis-Clark State in Lewiston, Idaho.
 
The Warriors are the reigning Avista-NAIA World Series Champions and return 13 players from their World Series roster.
 
Amongst the returners is NAIA Preseason All-American Cabe Reiten who led the Warriors at the dish with a .411 average last campaign. 
 
The Warriors are already 3-0 on the season, sweeping the Guardian Plumbing, Heating & A/C Tournament last week.  They recorded wins over Corban University, Northwest Nazarene University, and the University of British Columbia.
 
In their last game against British Columbia, Matthew Fish threw four innings of scoreless relief for the win.  Gunnar Buhner recorded a pair of hits, drove in a run, and came around to score. 
 
Jonathan Dailey earned National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-West Region Honors for the Wildcats.  In 2015 Dailey posted a .322 average with 14 extra base hits.
 
"To be honest I was surprised Darren Honeysett didn't join Dailey on the list," CWU Head Coach Desi Storey noted.   "I expect them both to have a good year.  As far as the new guys go, Connor Plaisance and James Smith III have both had a good fall.  On the mound I think Mackenzie Gaul is going to be tough, it's his first year here but I think he is has a chance to be good for us."
 
Despite unkind winter weather the Wildcats' skipper is optimistic about his squad's arms.
 
"Pitchers have thrown well all fall and winter and I anticipate they will continue to," Storey acknowledged.  "They need to get ahead in counts and if they can, it will help us do things offensively." 
 
The adjustment offensively, however, is the larger unknown this early in the season.
 
"Our big question is whether or not we are going to come out and swing the stick, Storey added.  "We haven't had much chance to get outside, so it will be an adjustment for us."
 
With a host of newcomers an opening game against a tough opponent puts the Wildcats in an opportune time to test their mettle.
 
"My goal is to get some guys in and get their feet wet," Storey said.  "It's a chance to get some guys on the field and see what we can do."
 
First pitch is set for 3 p.m. in Lewiston, Idaho.