Softball | 1/31/2013 10:36:00 AM

SOFTBALL - WESTERN OREGON AT NO. 2 UC SAN DIEGO
Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 – 1:00 p.m. (DH) – La Jolla, Calif.
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. (DH) – La Jolla, Calif.

LIVE STATS: None

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon softball team opens the 2013 season this week as the Wolves travel to La Jolla, Calif., for a four-game series against No. 2 UC San Diego, beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 1, at 1:00 p.m. The series concludes with a pair of games on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 12:00 p.m.

“We're obviously very excited to get the season started,” head coach Lonny Sargent stated. “The team has been working really hard and I know they are eager to take the field. UC San Diego is one of the top programs in the country; but, I know our team is ready and excited to take on the challenge.”

Western Oregon returns 10 letterwinners, including eight starters, from last year's squad that finished the season with a 23-26 record and a 19-17 league mark. The Wolves concluded the year as one of the hottest teams in the league, posting a 16-5 mark over their final 21 contests.

The Wolves are led by returning first-team all-conference selection Amanda Evola as the outfielder hit .378 with eight home runs and 40 RBI a season ago. Second-team all-conference selection Andrea Bailey (.325 BA in 2012) and honorable mention all-conference selection Jourdan Williams (.278 BA in 2012) also return for the Wolves.

In the circle, Hannah Pomeroy returns for the WOU after posting an 8-10 mark with a 3.24 ERA in 2012. Pomeroy led WOU last year in the circle, throwing 116.2 innings while allowing opponents to hit .284 against her.

UC San Diego, one of the preseason favorites to capture the national title, finished last season with a 45-23 mark and fell in the national title game to Valdosta State. The Tritons are led by Caitlin Brown, a first-team all-region selection from a year ago after hitting .335 with 10 home runs.

Following the weekend series with the Tritons, WOU will return to action on Friday, Feb. 8, when the Wolves open play at the Desert Stinger Invitational against Metro State at 11:30 a.m. in Las Vegas, Nev.