ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Central Washington University softball team hosts Western Washington University in a four-game non-conference series.
GAME INFORMATION
Saturday, March 6
Vs Western Washington
11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Frederick Field
Ellensburg, WA
LIVE STATS | WATCH
Sunday, March 7
Vs Western Washington
11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Frederick Field
Ellensburg, WA
LIVE STATS | WATCH
QUOTABLE
"This weekend will be another great test for our team," CWU Head Coach Alison Mitchell said. "I'm eager to see them compete with WWU and evaluate about ability to adjust and compete for 28 innings after so much time.
WWU has some great hitters, so it will be an excellent gauge for our battery to see where we excel and what we need to work on. On the other end, Kasner is a solid pitcher so it will tell me a lot about our hitters and their ability to compete in the box."
SCOUTING WESTERN WASHINGTON
The Vikings enter March with a record of 3-1. After weather and field conditions forced postponements, Western Washington finally opened the season against the University of Puget Sound, taking both games of their doubleheader. The Vikings then split with Pacific Lutheran University in a pair of games.
Western notched 7-3 and 10-2 victories over the Loggers. Anna Kasner went the distance in the circle in game one. She struck out 15 hitters and allowed just three runs, on five hits. All three runs came in the seventh inning.
A two-run homerun in game one of the doubleheader against Pacific Lutheran gave the Lutes the lead they needed to take down the Vikings 7-1. The Vikings took game two 8-0 behind Kasner. She picked up another win and went six shutout innings. Dakota Brooks drove in three and scored twice, while Lauren Lo scored and drove in a run.
Kasner currently has 419 strikeouts in her career, 59 short of the Vikings' career record. She is also just 92 strikeouts shy of the GNAC career record.
LAST TIME OUT
Central Washington opened the season with a pair of run-ruled games over the University of Puget Sound, 13-5 and 18-6.
Rhaney Harris earned the Wildcats' first win of the season, and her first as a Wildcat, in the opener. She worked three innings of scoreless relief and struck out three hitters.
Central's offense could not be stopped last weekend. The Crimson and Black posted an NCAA Division II-leading batting average of .569, as well as a DII-leading five stolen bases per game. Theresa Moyle drove in five, scored four times, and registered a pair triples in the victories. She also swiped one bag. Myiah Seaton drove in four runs, while four others drove in three.
The Crimson and Black's offensive bombardment culminated in a 13-run second inning in game two. Central scored 13 runs without recording an out. Despite the outpouring of offense, the 'Cats did not make use of the long ball. Instead, they clubbed 10 extra base hits and split them evenly between doubles and triples.
Harlee Carpenter was a thorn in the side of the Loggers' catchers, as she stole three bases last weekend. Allie Thiessen and Alee Cruz each nabbed a pair of bags, as well.
COVID DISCLAIMER
Per Washington state, Kittitas County Health Board, and the GNAC spectators will not be allowed at events. Schedules are subject to change at any time pending decisions from the health board and other local and regional authorities.
