PORTLAND, Ore. – The Central Washington University Softball Team was picked to finish sixth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
CWU will be looking to bounce back after a 6-32 record and a 4-20 GNAC record last season under new leadership in new Head Coach Ronnie Ladines. The 'Cats saw a big nonconference 9-1 victory over eventual NCAA Tournament participant Sonoma State as well as a big home conference victory over Northwest Nazarene and a pair of road conference wins at Montana State Billings that saw the 'Cats break a homerun record of eight home runs in a single game.
 
The Wildcats return two All-GNAC performers from last season to lead the charge. Mia Flores, a Second Team All-GNAC honoree, tied for a team-high five homeruns last season and returns for her senior season after being the primary starter at first base for the crimson and black a season ago. Also returning for the 'Cats is sophomore starting shortstop Jessica Reitz-Eaton who posted a .270 batting average with 33 hits, three doubles, and two homers to pair with 11 RBIs on the season.
 
Along with new leadership the 'Cats will be welcoming in nine newcomers. Transferring into CWU is juniors Joelie Eder (Lower Columbia College) and Brooke Baker (Bellevue College), and sophomores Hallie Sehlin (Bellevue College) and Kasi Thomas (Skagit Valley College). Joining the transfers is a talented group of freshmen: Reese Anderson (Poulsbo, Wash.), Jadyn Holdren (Kennewick, Wash.), Jenna Markuson (Belfair, Wash.), Lizzy Turpen (Boise, Idaho), and Izzy Vargas (Puyallup, Wash.).
 
2026 GNAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank	Team (1st Place Votes)	Pts.	'25 Record	GNAC Record (Finish)
1	Western Washington (4)	45	47-13	21-3 (1st)
2	Saint Martin's (2)	41	32-16	16-7 (2nd)
3	Northwest Nazarene (1)	34	23-23	11-13 (5th)
4	Simon Fraser	32	24-25	13-11 (3rd)
5	Montana State Billings	17	16-28	11-11 (4th)
6	Central Washington	15	6-32	4-20 (7th)
7	Western Oregon	12	13-37	6-17 (6th)

Read the full GNAC story HERE