La Jolla, Calif. (May 8) – For the second time since 2016, the Central Washington University softball team anticipates an opening round game in the NCAA West Regionals. The Wildcats take on UC San Diego in La Jolla, California on Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday | May 9 |
Tournament Central
vs. UC San Diego | Triton Softball Field
Watch |
Live Stats
FROM THE COACH
"Super proud of our team and excited that they were able to earn their way into the tournament," CWU Head Coach
Mike Larabee said. "I feel like we have a pretty good grasp on the opponents were facing. We've been working really hard since September to get into this position. It's all about being miss May. It's the start of a new season. Everyone is 0-0 and I like our chances."
FROM THE PLAYERS
"I am so excited to be going to regionals with this team,"
Kayla Ellis said. "We have worked so hard this entire season to get to this point and it's awesome to see that our hard work is paying off."
"I am looking forward to show all the hard work and dedication that we have put in all year,"
Julia Reuble said. "It will be awesome to prove that it really does pay off"
"Super excited to have advanced to Regionals,"
Maddy Zerr said "It shows the passion and culture that this program has built to be excellent. The memories on this trip will last a lifetime"
"This will be my first time going to regionals and I am really excited to experience this with such a great team,"
Keegan Wise said.
SCOUTING THE TRITONS
UC San Diego won the regular-season California Collegiate Athletic Association with a record of 24-9 in conference play. The Tritons were bounced from the double-elimination conference tournament after dropping their first two games. It took eight innings for Sonoma State to knock off the Tritons by a final score of 5-4. In an elimination game, San Francisco State shut out the Tritons 3-0.
The Tritons accumulated several CCAA Awards. Head Coach Patti Greckens was named the conference's Coach of the Year. The team also featured four First Team All-Conference members in Keila Bosinger, Sherriah Harrington, Maddy Lewis, and Robyn Wampler.
Bosinger is one of just three freshmen named to the conference's first team. Bosinger's .393 batting average and .460 on-base percentage are both team bests, and are fifth and ninth best in the CCAA.
Harrington has earned back-to-back First Team recognition in her first two years with the Tritons. Harrington batted .363. Harrington was the team leader in RBIs, netting 25, and also smacked a team-best five home runs. With her .548 slugging percentage, Harrington ranks 11th in the conference.
Lewis is a member of the All-CCAA First Team for the third time in her career. Lewis was stout defensively at third throughout the season, and her 117 assists rank second in the conference. Lewis sports a .440 on-base percentage.
Wampler put together a strong sophomore campaign. The pitcher's 1.67 earned run average, 18 wins, and five saves all topped the CCAA leaderboard. A season ago, Wampler was named the CCAA Freshman of the Year.
THIS SEASON
The Wildcats set a new record in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference after securing their fourth consecutive regular-season championship. The Wildcats finished with a 30-16 overall record, putting together an outstanding conference record of 21-7. Since 2010, this is the fourth time the team has notched 20 or more conference wins. The Wildcats boast a .340 batting average, 11
th best in the country.
Throughout the year, the Wildcats racked up accolades. Head Coach Larabee was named the conference Coach of the Year.
Savannah Egbert and
Katie Kastning earned a spot on the All-GNAC First Team as unanimous selections. Egbert is batting .429 on the season with 76 hits and 23 stolen bases. Egbert's batting average is the 44
th best in the country. She leads the GNAC in both hits and stolen bases. Egbert scored a league's best 55 runs on the season.
Kastning is batting an even .400 with 64 hits and 44 runs batted in for the Wildcats. She ransk third in the GNAC in hits and leads the league in RBIs. Kastning's 16 doubles leads the GNAC and is tied for 49
th most in the nation.
Lexie Strasser was an All-GNAC Second Team selection along with teammates
Rachael Johnson and
Alycia Bannan. Strasser has an earned run average of 2.66 over 184 innings of work. Strasser struck out 112 batters, including a GNAC's best 39 batters looking. Her 17 wins and two saves lead the league.
Johnson is batting .316 and has 20 stolen bases, second most in conference. Her 35 runs scored is the fifth most in the GNAC. Johnson made 68 put outs in the outfield for the Wildcats, while committing just two errors on the season.
Bannan is a threat to do damage in the batter's box, boasting six home runs and 37 runs batted in. Her RBI total is the seventh best in the GNAC. Bannan is tied with teammate
Maddy Zerr in the same category. Zerr earned All-GNAC Honorable Mention as well. Zerr has swatted eight home runs.
SERIES HISTORY
The last time the Wildcats and Tritons met was in the 2016 NCAA West Regionals. In an elimination game, the Wildcats muscled two huge home runs to beat the Tritons 6-5. Brielle Copodonna smashed a three-run shot in the first inning. Later in the fifth, Austin Wilkerson blasted a solo homer. The next day, the Wildcats beat Azusa Pacific 7-3 and 9-6 to advance to the NCAA West Super Regional. Overall, the Tritons own a 3-1 series record against the Wildcats.
