ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University softball team has announced the addition of two new athletes for the 2026 season.
 
"We are excited to add Joelie and Izzy to the Wildcat family," CWU Head Softball Coach Joe DiPietro said. "Both possess the qualities that we look for in our program, and I do believe that both have very bright futures here at Central. We're looking forward to getting them to campus in the fall."
 
Joelie Eder will join the crimson and black after spending two seasons with the Lower Columbia College Red Devils in Longview, Wash. In her first season with LCC, Eder earned the NWAC Athlete of the Week after posting a home run, 11 RBI, three runs scored, and three doubles in the opening weekend of play last season. The Kamiakin High School graduate also earned All-Conference Second Team honors and was a three-time Brave Award Winner and Rotary Athlete of the Month during her KHS career.
 
Eder plans on majoring in Marketing and Advertising, and when asked about why she chose CWU she said, "I chose CWU to continue my education and athletic career."
 
"Joelie is a very skilled player that I had interest in before she signed at Lower Columbia," DiPietro said. "I'm excited to add her to our roster and reunite her with Halle, Adriana, and Melise as they all played select ball together. Joelie is an experienced outfielder that has good power and can play all three outfield positions."
 
Izzy Vargas will make the trek over the Cascades after graduating from Graham Kapowsin High School in the spring. So far in her high school career, Vargas has earned All-League SPSL First Team and Second Team honors, two-time GKHS fastpitch MVP, has earned a varsity letter in fastpitch softball every year, and has been a member of the GKHS National Honors Society.
 
Vargas plans on majoring in Applied Mathematics, and when asked on why she chose CWU said, "The decision to attend CWU stems from the feeling that it's the right place where I can grow personal and academically where I can be supported by a community. It's been a dream of mine to play college level softball since I was a little girl. By getting to do so a CWU, I'm able to fulfill those dreams close to home and be with a great program."
 
"Izzy was the player that I targeted during the recruiting season as I believed she has a huge upside," DiPietro said. "She has good gap power and is a contact hitter. Defensively, she can play all of the outfield positions and play them well."