ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington baseball (5-9) prepares for its first home series this weekend against Saint Martin's (5-11). This weekend also marks the beginning of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

GAME INFO
Saturday, March 2nd and Sunday, March 3rd
Noon & 3:00 p.m.
Central Washington vs Saint Martin's
CWU Baseball Field
Ellensburg, Washington
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH DESI STOREY
"The guys are excited to start conference play."
 
SCOUTING THE SAINTS
Saint Martin's is 5-11 after playing a tough nonconference slate in February. Saint Martin's picked up their first win on February 3^rd, beating Eastern Oregon 7-6. After that, they went on a four-game skid before earning the 5-4 victory over Chaminade University. The Saints found success two weeks ago when they won three straight. SMU beat Pacific Lutheran 9-1 and then swept the doubleheader against George Fox, 4-3 and 12-3.
 
The Saints have three batters hitting over .300 through 16 games. Trevor McCorkle leads Saint Martin's hitting .438. In 32 at bats, he has 14 hits, eight doubles, six RBIs, and eight runs scored. Damon Ingram is averaging .342 at the plate with 13 hits, three doubles, two home runs, eight RBIs, and seven runs scored. Austin Schaler rounds out the hot hitting for the Saints. Schaler is hitting .313 in 48 at bats this season. He has tallied 15 hits, three doubles, a triple, and a home run. Schaler has four RBIs and 11 runs scored.
 
Colin Driscoll is 2-0 for the Saints on the mound after four starts. He has pitched 24.1 innings, holds a 1.48 ERA, and has recorded a team high of 25 strikeouts. Driscoll's best outing was on February 10^th against Chaminade. He started and threw 8.1 innings, only allowed two hits, and tied up 12 batters.
 
Right hander Blaze Wong is 1-2 in two starts and four appearances. Wong has a 3.12 ERA over 17.1 innings pitched. He has struck out ten batters this season and only given up six extra base hits.
 
Justice Yamashita was a staple for the Saints last season, returns to the lineup and is still giving batters fits. Yamashita has worked 19 innings and started in all four of his appearances. He has 18 strikeouts but has had some control issues and allowed nine walks.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats went 1-4 last weekend. The 'Cats split Friday's doubleheader with Linfield taking the close 6-5 win in game two. On Saturday, it was all Bruins as George Fox won 11-4 and 4-3 to complete the sweep.
 
Daniel Charron got the game two start against George Fox and had a stellar outing. He pitched the entire seven inning contest and recorded six strikeouts and allowed four runs.
 
Offensively for the 'Cats, Austin Ohland had a good weekend. As the DH in game two against Linfield, he went 2-2 with a double and an RBI. In game one against George Fox, he hit 2-4, drew a walk, and scored a run. In the last contest of the weekend vs GFU, Ohland was 1-3 with an RBI.
 
Other hot bats for the 'Cats this season include "Baba" Varner Jr. and Marcus Manzardo. Varner Jr. (.392) has 20 hits, three doubles, one triple, two home runs, and 10 RBIs in 51 at bats. Manzardo (.333) has tallied 19 hits, a double, a triple, three RBIs, and 14 runs scored in 57 appearances at the plate.
 
ON DECK  
The Wildcats continue GNAC play next week taking on Western Oregon in a four-game road series. Starting on Saturday, March 9^th at 1:00 p.m.