GAME #1
Western Oregon (0-0, 0-0 GNAC) vs. Metropolitan State Denver Roadrunners (0-0, 0-0 RMAC)
Friday, Feb. 5 at 12 p.m.
Triton Softball Field – La Jolla, Calif.
 
GAME #2
Western Oregon (0-0, 0-0 GNAC) vs. UC San Diego Tritons (1-1, 0-0 CCAA)
Friday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m.
Triton Softball Field – La Jolla, Calif.
 
GAME #3
Western Oregon (0-0, 0-0 GNAC) vs. UC San Diego Tritons (1-1, 0-0 CCAA)
Saturday, Feb. 6 at 12:30 p.m.
Triton Softball Field – La Jolla, Calif.
 
GAME #4
Western Oregon (0-0, 0-0 GNAC) vs. Metropolitan State Denver Roadrunners (0-0, 0-0 RMAC)
Saturday, Feb. 6 at 3 p.m.
Triton Softball Field – La Jolla, Calif.
 
 
Western Oregon softball will open the 2016 season against Metropolitan State Denver and UC San Diego this weekend in La Jolla, California. The Wolves will play each team on Friday as well as Saturday.
 
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
The Wolves' roster includes 14 returners from the 2015 season, featuring four seniors, nine juniors, three sophomores, and six freshmen. The majority of the roster are Oregon-based, which includes12 players. Five players come from Washington, along with two from Idaho, two from California, and one from Hawaii.
 
As for the returners, 2015 First Team All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference selections Kelsie Gardner and Destiny Kuehl bring back experience as junior infielders. Gardner hit .432, totaling 76 hits and 40 runs, and Kuehl hit .336 with 39 hits and 28 runs. Senior Outfielder Brandy Knowles also returns after hitting .340 last season. On the pitching staff, senior Alyson Boytz and sophomore Lizzet Dominguez return after Boytz pitched a 4.19 earned run average in 133.2 innings, and Dominguez pitched a 6.32 ERA in 62 innings.
 
LOOKING AT THE METRO STATE ROADRUNNERS
Metro State returns eight players from the 2015 season, where they went 44-16 overall and 28-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Senior outfielder Lani Redmond, junior pitcher Cassidy Smith, and sophomore catcher Sarena Espinoza were each named to the preseason All-RMAC team. Last season, Redmond hit .427 with 76 hits and 42 runs, earning Second Team All-South Central Region and First Team All-RMAC honors. Smith received Second Team All-RMAC selection after pitching 2.94 ERA in 181 innings, and Espinoza earned honorable mention all-conference after batting .357 with 56 hits and 28 runs. Additionally, head coach Annie Van Wetzinga was named 2015 RMAC Coach of the Year.
 
LOOKING AT THE UC SAN DIEGO TRITONS
UC San Diego split a double header against Azusa Pacific on February 1, but they are still in the midst of kicking off the 2016 season. In 2015, the Tritons went 25-25 overall and 15-21 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. They return 12 players, yet underclassmen make up most of the roster. Four of the returners were named to the All-CCAA team, including second team selections Lexi Edwards and Kendall Baker as well as honorable mention selections McKenna Clewett and Emma Schneider. Edwards, a senior pitcher, recorded a 2.21 ERA with 11 wins, and sophomore second baseman Baker hit .278 with 22 hits and 18 runs. Senior shortstop Clewett batted .319 with 46 hits and 24 runs, while Schneider, a senior catcher and first baseman, averaged .287 with 45 hits and 19 runs.
 
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the Wolves' second time meeting Metro State as Western Oregon lost in 2013. Against UC San Diego, the Tritons lead the all-time series, 14-3, with the teams' last meeting occurring in 2014.
 
UP NEXT
The Wolves will travel to St. George, Utah to compete in the Dixie State Tournament from February 12 to February 14. They will play against Dixie State, Western New Mexico, UH Hilo, and Cal Baptist.