Tuesday, February 10, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. – Guests for Episode 52 of GNAC Insider included Montana State Billings softball coach Lisa Allen, Saint Martin’s athletic director Bob Grisham and Western Washington forward Sydney Donaldson. 

Allen is in her fourth year leading the Yellowjackets. Thirteen letter-winners return from MSUB’s 20-win squad of a season ago, including four pitchers and first-team All-GNAC selection catcher Brittney Sanders. This weekend the Yellowjackets will start their season by hosting the sixth annual "Desert Stinger" in Las Vegas, the “country’s largest NCAA Division II softball tournament hosted by one school.” Allen talked about the preparations for this event and how the team looks heading into the 2015 season.

Grisham is in his 29th year as the Saint Martin’s athletic director. On Wednesday night the Saint will be hosting the first, and only, ROOT SPORTS basketball doubleheader of the season. The women will play against the Red Lion Team of the Week, Western Washington, before the men face off against conference leader Western Oregon. Grisham discussed the preparations for Wednesday’s doubleheader and about his coaching experience at Saint Martin's.

Donaldson is in her senior year with the Vikings. Owning the conference’s sixth-best field goal percentage, Donaldson is one of three senior starters making the most of their senior seasons. After starting the year 6-5, the Vikings have won nine of their past 11 games and have maneuvered to a half-game behind second place Seattle Pacific in the GNAC standings. Donaldson, who hit the game-winner in Thursday’s contest against Northwest Nazarene, talked about her game winner and about her head coach, Carmen Dolfo. 

GNAC Insider airs live at 7 p.m. Pacific time every Tuesday and is produced by the conference office. All episodes become available as free podcasts via iTunes, and for archived listening via GNAC.TV.