ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University softball team travels to Las Vegas for the Desert Stinger tournament.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Friday, January 31
Vs Oklahoma Christian
11:30 a.m.
 
Friday, January 31
Vs San Francisco State
2:00 p.m.
 
Saturday, February 1
Vs Cal State San Bernardino
11:30 a.m.
 
Saturday, February 1
Vs Regis
2:00 p.m.
 
Sunday, February 2
Vs Colorado Christian
11:30 a.m.
 
QUOTABLE
"We are going to face some really good competition right off the bat," CWU Head Coach Alison Mitchell said.  "I'm looking forward to how the team responds.  I'm really excited to get outside and start playing."
 
SCOUTING DESERT STINGER OPPONENTS
Oklahoma Christian finished the 2019 season with a 40-16 record.  They finished with a mark of 19-11 in Heartland play.  Brie Dunckel returns to the lineup in 2020 after posting a slash line of .373/.482/.449 in 2019.  She went a perfect 23-for-23 in stolen bases, drove in 18 runs, and hit a pair of round trippers.  Sophomore pitcher Kali Crandall returns as the Eagles' ace.  She finished with a record of 18-6.  She posted an earned run average of 2.21, while striking out 178, and holding opponents to an average against of .209.
 
San Francisco State posted a 39-20 record, with a 26-13 mark in CCAA play. Last year's meeting between Central Washington and San Francisco State in Las Vegas was cancelled due to inclement weather.  Brylynn Vallejos returns for the Gators after posting an average of .442 in 59 games last year.  She stole 32 bags in 40 attempts, hit five homeruns, and drove in thirty-nine.  Right-hander Emily Mitchell returns after she posted a record of 17-13 and recorded one save.  She struck out 114 hitters and posted an ERA of 2.77.
 
Cal State San Bernardino finished nine games above .500 in 2019, with a record of 29-20, including a 20-16 mark in CCAA competition.  Both Morgan Ratliff (.401) and Dominique Walker (.369) graduated, leaving the top returner for the Coyotes as Jamiana Gateb, who hit .342 a season ago.  Gateb hit five homeruns and drove in 20.  In the circle, Kendra O'Cull will likely handle the majority of the pitching duties.  She finished with an 8-5 record, alongside an ERA of 3.08.  She struck out just 40 hitters and allowed an average against of .286.
 
Regis struggled in 2019, posting a record of 15-28.  They went 12-23 in RMAC play and were picked to finish seventh in 2020.  Sophomore catcher Karly Beard returns behind the plate after leading the Regis offense last season.  Taylor Armitage returns to the circle for her senior campaign.  She went 12-15 in 2019, with an ERA of 4.42, struck out 85 hitters, and opposing hitters were quite successful with an average of .335 against.
 
The Wildcats final opponent for the weekend is Colorado Christian, who posted a record of 36-16 in 2019.  They went 28-8 in RMAC play.  Kenzie Mattey graduated after leading the Cougars with an 18-6 record and an ERA of 1.90.  Jennifer Romero split the pitching duties, posting a 14-7 record.  She tossed 13 complete games and opposing pitchers held an average of .269 against her.  Romero posted an ERA of 2.88, with a WHIP of 1.28.
 
NEW SKIPPER ALISON MITCHELL
Since 2016, Mitchell has served as Redmond High School's head softball coach and began her time as an assistant at Redmond in 2013, earning four league tournament berths, capturing three division titles, two King County titles, and both a district and state tournament title.  During Mitchell's tenure, Redmond has placed in the top 10 in the state tournament for eight consecutive years.  Redmond has also had eight players earn collegiate scholarships during her time with the program.
 
She began her time with the Ladyhawks' organization in 2006 as a recruiting coach and outfield and infield instructor.  In 2009, Mitchell was tabbed for a head coaching spot within the program.  During her tenure with the Ladyhawks', the organization has produced players who have gone on to play for institutions in the Pac-12, SEC, ACC, and Big East at universities and colleges like the University of Washington, Cal, Tennessee, Kentucky, Oregon, and Princeton.
 
Mitchell led her Ladyhawks' team to a ninth-place finish at the Premier National Championship and her teams have earned a berth to the Premier National Championship since its inception
 
Previously, Mitchell has served as the head coach for Skyline High School and Eastside Catholic High School.  While with Skyline, she guided the Spartans to two league tournament berths, a pair of second place divisional finishes, and had a player earn Offensive MVP for their KingCo 4A league.  During her time at Eastside, Mitchell's squads qualified for five consecutive 3A district tournaments, placing in the top five teams in Metro 3A each of her five seasons.