Softball | 3/2/2016 11:29:00 AM

ELLENSBURG, Wash (March. 2) – The Central Washington University softball team is prepped for a six-game weekend which begins with two games at home versus Corban University (Ore.) on Thursday before the team travels south to battle Concordia University (Ore.) and Western Oregon University.
 
The Wildcats (10-1) welcome Corban University (10-4) for a pair of games that are set for a 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. first pitch. The Wildcats are riding an eight-game winning streak, but haven't played since Feb. 14.
 
"It's been kind of tough," Head coach Mike Larabee said about layoff. "You get on a roll and then you don't play for two and a half weeks. Our coaching staff has been doing a great job of keeping the enthusiasm and energy levels up and really for the most part, I think we've had some great practices."
 
The Warriors are looking for their first road win of the season as the team is currently 0-1 when traveling. They are led by Taylor Eilders and freshman Grace Utto-galarneau offensively. Eilders leads the team with 22 hits, batting at a .431 clip. Her six stolen bases are tied for the team lead as well. Utto-galarneau provides the pop for the Warrior lineup that hits .349 collectively. She leads the team with four homeruns and is second on the team with 11 RBIs.
 
Senior Jessica Holsinger leads the team with six starts and has appeared in seven games. The southpaw has posted a 1.17 ERA striking out 26 batters in her 36 innings of work. She is holding opponents to a .189 batting average on the season.
 
"They are a very good team," Larabee said. "They have two really good left handed pitchers. I'm left handed and throw a lot of batting practice, so that should give up some familiarity when we face them. They are swinging the bats well and they do a great job of recruiting. It's going to be a good mid-week doubleheader."
 
The Wildcats will open the Great Northwest Athletic Conference season when they travel to Concordia University (10-7) for two games.
 
The Cavaliers boast a 5-1 home record this season. They are led by Rylleigh Zbaraschuk who leads her team with a .457 batting average. Megan Luebbert leads the team with five homeruns and a slugging percentage of .811. 11 of her 22 hits have been extra bases.
 
In the circle, the Cavaliers feature Mattie Boucher who leads the team with seven starts. She carries a 3-2 record pitching just over 37 innings.
 
The Wildcats will wrap up the weekend with two games in Monmouth, Ore. versus the Western Oregon University (7-8)
 
The Wolves were picked to finish third in the GNAC conference this season. They are led by Destiney Kuehl who lead the team with a .526 batting average. Kuehl also leads her team in homeruns with two. Alyson Boytz has started the most games for the Wolves in the circle. She has thrown 36.2 innings holding opponents to a .234 batting average.
 
"We have our work cut out for us when we go down there," Larabee said about the Oregon swing. "We talk to the girls about making each game a new season and about us. Whether that's defensively, in the circle and offensively, we try to be excellent on all sides."
 
All live stats and game information can be found at Wildcatsports.com and be sure to follow @CWUAthletics and @CWUSoftball for live tweets and up-to-date information.
 
 
Weekend Game Times
 
Corban University @ Central Washington – March. 3 – 1 P.M AND 3 P.M
 
Central Washington @ Concordia University – March. 5 – 1 P.M. AND 3 P.M.
 
Central Washington @ Western Oregon University – March. 6 – Noon AND 2 P.M.