ELLENSBURG, Wash. – After two weeks to rest and regroup, Central Washington returns to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference race with a four-game series this Friday and Saturday against the Saints in Lacey, Wash.
 
The Wildcats and Saint's will play doubleheaders on each day. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
 
SPLIT WITH SAINTS
Saint Martin's owns a 15-26 overall record alongside a 10-14 conference mark. Central hosted the Saint's at home for a four-game series back on March 26-27^th, resulting in an even 2-2 series split.
 
The Saint's have been hot, taking a 3-1 series victory over GNAC-leading Northwest Nazarene, and most recently splitting a 2-2 series at Montana State Billings that included a 22-11 victory over the Yellowjackets.
 
Heading up the SMU offense is Aaron Renaud. The Saint's first baseman holds a .322 batting average alongside a .542 slugging percentage and .420 on base percentage. The redshirt junior leads the roster with 38 total hits.
 
On the mound, Justice Yamashita has been a work horse for Saint Martin's. The sophomore owns a 5-4 record and leads the GNAC with five complete games, including a shut-out appearance over Northwest Nazarene on March 11^th.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Central Washington fell to 12-29 overall and 6-18 in GNAC play after dropping a series 3-1 series to Western Oregon two weekends ago.
 
In game one the Wildcats found themselves in a late inning pitcher's duel resulting in a win for Brayde Hirai (2-2). The southpaw fanned two while allowing just one hit and one walk through the final four innings. It was an infield single just over the head of the Wolves pitcher off of the bat of Charlie Larson that drove in the game winning run. Central took game one 10-9, but were unable to keep pace through the final three games.
 
Central Washington continues to hold the highest team batting average in the conference at .294. Leading the Wildcats are Zach Berryman and Adam Fahsel. Berryman, the Wildcats left fielder and leadoff man, leads the conference with 58 total hits. Fahsel, the Wildcats Center fielder, leads the GNAC with a .350 average and 45 runs scored.
 
Austin Ohland continues to dominate the conference in slugging. Owning a .299 batting average, Ohland leads the GNAC in doubles (21), runs batted in (42), slugging percentage (.586), and sits tied for third with eight home runs.