LACEY, Wash. (Apr. 30) – The Central Washington University softball team had to win four straight games after an opening game loss to Saint Martin's on Thursday, and after winning two yesterday the Wildcats completed its goal of becoming Great Northwest Athletic Conference champions with a pair of victories over Western Oregon Saturday afternoon.
 
Central Washington became the first team in GNAC Tournament history to win the tournament after entering the loser's bracket.

"What a great effort by a great softball team," CWU Head Coach Mike Larabee said.  "We have worked hard for this and it is an amazing feeling to know that we have punched our ticket to regionals.  We wanted this from day one, and now we have it, but this season is far from over."
 
The Wildcats earned the regular season championship and completed the hardware sweep with a GNAC Tournament championship and an automatic berth into the NCAA Division II West Regional Tournament.  The Wildcats will find out where they travel and who they play this Monday at 7 a.m. during the NCAA selection show.

"It doesn't matter to me where we end up going for regional," Larabee said.  "I strongly believe we can beat anyone in this region.  We are going to prepare just like any other week and whoever we play we are going to treat the game like it is opening day and come out an play with a purpose."
 
The tournament championship is the programs first and Alexa Olague was named was named tournament MVP after going 8 for 13.
 
The Wildcats opened up the game scoring three runs in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Austin Wilkerson followed by a two-run double by Brielle Copodonna that scored Kailyn Campbell and Alexa Olague.
 
The Wildcats tacked on four more in the second inning with Laura Steiner getting a pinch hit single that scored Wilkerson and Tammy Wilkening to extend the CWU lead to 7-2.  The Wolves added one in the third to pull the score to 7-3 in favor of CWU.
 
A Wilkerson single in the fourth extended the CWU lead to 8-3.  Taelor Griffin added a pinch hit single that added the ninth and final tally for the Wildcats.
 
Kiana Wood shut down the Wolves in the final two innings allowing one base runner in the process.  Wood pitched all seven innings allowing three runs on five hits and had two strikeouts.
 
The Wildcats who were ranked fifth in the NCAA Division II West Regional poll, will wait to see where they land this Monday at 7 a.m.