Softball | 5/4/2016 10:54:00 AM

Azusa, Calif. (May 4) – The Central Washington University softball team landed in Ontario California yesterday evening and are now preparing for its NCAA Division II West Regional matchup with Dixie State University on May 5 at 11 a.m.
 
The Wildcats (38-14) earned the second seed in the region after winning four straight games to capture the Great Northwest Athletic Conference crown.  Dixie State (36-13) began the season ranked second in the nation, and finished third in the PacWest Conference with a 24-8 mark, earning a rank of seventh in the region.
 
"Each team here is very talented and deserves to be here," CWU Head Coach Mike Larabee said.  "We are excited to compete, and we know that if we play to our potential we can beat anyone.  It is going to take excellent performances offensively, defensively and in the circle, something we have shown we can do."
 
The Trailblazer held a 7-1 record against GNAC schools this year, defeating Montana State Billings four times, Western Oregon twice, with one victory over Western Washington.
 
The Wildcats and Trailblazers have faced off five times in the past, each time Dixie State has been victorious.  The last time CWU was in the West Regional Tournament they were defeated twice by DSU, the last in the Regional Championship game.
 
"This is a new year, they are a different team and so are we.  History will not play a role in who wins this game," Larabee said.  "It is going to come down to which team comes to play.  I anticipate a very good game between two outstanding programs."
 
Janessa Bassett leads the Trailblazers offense with a .479 batting average, 50 runs, 17 doubles and 29 stolen bases.  The Wildcats will more than likely face Aryn Feickert in the circle where she owns a 20-4 record with a 1.78 earned run average.  Feickert holds opposing batters to a .185 batting average but has given up 29 extra-base hits, including 16 home runs.
 
Thursday's game will be streamed online here, and live stats can be found on NCAA.com