Monday, February 4, 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. – Looking to get its 2019 season started off on the right foot, the Western Oregon softball team did just that and more last week in Las Vegas. 

Taking to the City of Lights for the Montana State Billings-hosted Desert Stinger tournament, the Wolves proved to be lucky all weekend in a three-game sweep of their opponents. The trip was capped with a 7-2 victory over No. 7 Chico State, running their record to 3-0 to earn the selection as GNAC Team of the Week. 

"The team played well," said head coach Lonny Sargent. "We had a slow start on the offensive end but our defense and pitching kept us in the games until our offense got going. We play until the last out and we needed that a few times."

The team's 2019 season started on Friday, with WOU earning a 8-3 victory over Colorado Christian before outlasting Cal State Monterey Bay for a 6-5 win in nine innings. Senior right-hander Hailey Fabian shined in the lid-lifter, striking out three while picking up the victory after going all seven innings for her club.

It was a strong balance of pitching and offense that got the job done two days later against the Wildcats. Behind four hitless and scoreless innings in relief from freshman Maddie Mayer and a pair of RBIs from senior Jenna Kelly, the club exploded for seven runs in the 7-2 win.

Mayer finished the week with a 2-0 record and a 1.62 ERA, earning her the title of GNAC Softball co-Pitcher of the Week along with All-Tournament honors. In 13 total innings in the circle over the weekend, Mayer tallied nine strikeouts. 

Sophomore utility player Tyler Creach was also named to the Desert Stinger All-Tournament Team after hitting .500 with two RBIs and two runs. 

"This team is scrappy and they love to play," Sargent said. "All areas played a pivotal role last weekend; the offense, defense, pitching and our dugout were into every pitch and that was fun to watch. The players just went out and played their hearts out for each other and we were fortunate to come out on top of some very good competition." 

Western Oregon returns to the diamond this weekend, taking on St. Edward's, Adelphi and Dixie State for a total of five games over three days in St. George, Utah. The team's home opener will be on March 9 against Simon Fraser at WOU Softball Field.