Wednesday, March 19, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Oregon takes an eight-game win streak and a perfect conference record into a crucial four-game homestand this weekend at the WOU Softball Field against its two closest pursuers in the conference race.

The Wolves (15-10, 6-0), who don't play at home again after this weekend for a month, swept doubleheaders last week with Northwest Christian and Simon Fraser before having a doubleheader with Western Washington rained out.

WOU hosts defending GNAC champion Saint Martin's (11-9, 6-1) on Friday and Central Washington (13-6, 6-2) on Sunday.  CWU plays at Saint Martin's on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Simon Fraser plays at Northwest Nazarene and Western Washington visits MSU Billings this weekend for four-game series.

WOU shortstop Melanie Pfeiffer brings a 14-game hitting streak into Friday's games against the Saints.  Last week she had seven hits in 14 at bats.

The Wolves were also led last week by outfielder Amanda Evola, who had nine hits in 14 at bats, scored five runs and drove in nine.  WOU also got strong pitching performances from Kelli Demianew and Eryka Brill, allowing just five runs in its four contests.

Saint Martin's won three of four conference games last week as Dani Wall and Taviah Jenkins led the way.  Wall batted .467 (7-of-15) and Jenkins hit .429 (6-of-14).  Jenkins also had two home runs and six RBI.

SMU's Sam Munger went 5-for-12 to complete an eight-game week with 11 hits in 24 at bats in earning GNAC Red Lion Player of the Week honors.

Central Washington is coming off a four-game series split with Montana State Billings. Taylor Ferleman had six hits in 12 at bats for the Wildcats.  

MSUB, after splitting four games with CWU, makes its long awaited home debut against Western Washington after beginning its season with 17 road games, seven of which were at Las Vegas.

The Yellowjackets used a three-run home run by Samantha Everett and a two-run home run by Katie Schermele for its two wins at Ellensburg.

Jenna DeRosier scattered seven hits in beating Saint Martin's 1-0 earning Western Washington a split in its doubleheader last Saturday before getting rained out Sunday against the Wolves.

Simon Fraser lost four games last week, but battled Saint Martin's twice.  The Clan led 6-3 in Sunday's first game before losing 9-6, then trailed only 3-2 until the seventh before falling 5-2.

Vikings Rank Seventh Nationally In Hitting

Western Washington ranks seventh in team batting in this week's NCAA Division II national team statistical report. The Vikings, who are hitting .362, are the only GNAC team ranked in the Top 10 in this week's report.

In individual categories, Alexie Levin of Western Washington is ranked in the Top 30 in four different categories, including 17th in batting average (.519), 12th in RBIs (1.47), 23rd in on-base percentage (.574) and 30th in slugging (.889).

The top-ranked GNAC player in any category is Autumn Isaacson of Western Washington.  She ranks seventh in stolen bases averaging one per contest.

NCAA NATIONAL STATISTICS (Top 30; through March 16): Team: Batting – 7. Western Washington .362.  Fielding – 26. Central Washington .970.  Scoring – 20. Western Washington 6.71.  Home Runs – 23. Northwest Nazarene 1.05.  Slugging – 17. Western Washington .523. Double Plays – 15. Western Oregon 0.60.  Individual:  Batting – 17. Alexie Levin, WWU, .519.  RBI – 12. Alexie Levin, WWU, 1.47.  Stolen Bases – 7. Autumn Isaacson, WWU, 1.00.  Saves – 14. Kelli Demianew, WOU, and Noelle Wright, NNU, 2.  Slugging – 30. Alexie Levin, WWU, .889. Runs – 28. Autumn Isaacson, WWU, 1.18.  On-Base PCT. – 23. Alexie Levin, WWU, .574.  Sacrifice Flies – 14. Bridjet Box, WOU, 3.

FROM THE RECORD BOOK: Saint Martin’s second baseman Lacey McGladrey had 11 hits last week, increasing her career total to 203.  She is the 11th player in GNAC history to record 200 or more career base hits.  She also has 300 career total bases.  That is the ninth highest total in GNAC history.  Saint pitcher Sam Munger has 48 career wins putting her into a six-way tie for fourth place on the GNAC career list ... Pfeiffer's hit streak is the longest in the GNAC this year.   MSUB’s leadoff hitter - Bella Rovens - had a 10-game streak come to an end when she went hitless in the final game of their series with Central Washington.     

GNAC RED LION PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Player – Sam Munger, Saint Martin’s (SS-P, 5-6, Jr., Everett, WA - Cascade) had 11 hits in 24 at bats as the Saints split eight games. Among her 11 hits were three doubles and a triple.  She also drove in seven runs.  In the circle, she posted a 3-2 record and a 1.97 ERA.  One of her losses was a two-hit 1-0 decision to Western Washington.  Pitcher – Kelli Demianew, Western Oregon (5-10, Jr., Pendleton, OR – Blue Mountain CC) and Jenna DeRosier, Western Washington (5-7, Sr., Kelso, WA) .... Neither Demianew nor DeRosier allowed a run.  Demianew picked up a pair of victories, including one in relief.  In seven innings she allowed seven hits, but didn’t walk a batter and struck out eight ... DeRosier scattered seven hits in blanking defending GNAC champion Saint Martin’s 1-0.  She walked one and fanned three. 

For more GNAC softball news check out the GNAC Weekly Softball report.