MONMOUTH, Ore. — In just over a week, the Western Oregon softball team opens its 2019 season in hopes of continuing what has been an impressive run for the program. The Wolves are the only team in the GNAC to qualify for every conference tournament since its inception in 2013.

Early opinions across the Great Northwest Athletic Conference indicate a seventh straight trip is in the cards. WOU ranked third in the 2019 GNAC Preseason Softball Coaches Poll, picking up 41 points and trailing only Central Washington (59) and Northwest Nazarene (61) in voting.

"They're working really hard together right now, it's been great to see their progress," said head coach Lonny Sargent. "We have a lot of young players so we're trying to bring them along as fast as possible."

The Wolves posted their fifth winning record in the last six seasons in 2018, compiling a 28-25 overall record, and qualified for their sixth straight GNAC Championships. They were able to do some serious damage at the plate, finishing third in the GNAC with a .303 batting average and .453 slugging percentage.

Also solid defensively, the Wolves finished with a .960 fielding percentage and were second in Division II with 0.57 double plays turned per game.

The Wolves return a pair of All-West Region performers in senior infielder Ryanne Whitaker (Huffman) and sophomore outfielder Tyler Creach.

Whitaker returns for her senior season armed with 147 career starts for the Wolves. The second baseman hit .397 a year ago and is already positioned in several of WOU's all-time top 10 statistical categories offensively.  

Making 52 starts, Creach hit for a team-leading .409 batting average as a freshman and posted 15 multi-hit games while scoring a team-high 42 runs.

In addition to the two all-region picks, the Wolves return a third All-GNAC performer in senior infielder Cheyanne Rimer. Rimer cranked out seven home runs, good for second on the 2018 team, while helping the infield turn a conference-leading 27 double plays.

Other returning starters for the club include senior infielder Jenna Kelly and a trio of sophomores in shortstop Sydney Bowers, outfielder Ayanna Arceneuax and catcher Mariah Deleon.

In the circle, WOU will return pitchers Haley Fabian, Chandler Bishop and Maddie McClelland. Fabian led the club with 97 strikeouts and 140.0 innings of work.

With a solid contingent of underclassmen, this year's roster consists of seven freshmen, seven sophomores, two juniors and four seniors.

"We have some great leaders in our upperclassmen and even our sophomores," added Sargent. "They grew up really quick last year as freshmen. They know what it's all about it so they're helping out quite a bit as well."

Western Oregon's season opener is set for Feb. 1 against Colorado Christian in Las Vegas during the MSUB Desert Stinger Classic. It will be the first of 17 consecutive road games, spread over three tournaments in three states, to open the season for the Wolves.

"Biggest thing we're looking for as we open the season is to see them coming together and learning to communicate with each other while in a game situation. As long as they're growing and moving forward, we're going to be in a good spot."

After the early road tests, WOU begins play at home March 9 with a doubleheader against Simon Fraser; a series that begins a stint of six straight home games, their longest home stand of the season.

That March 9 opener marks the first games played by the Wolves on their newly renovated playing surface. This past offseason an improved drainage system and over 12,000 square feet of Matrix turf were installed at the WOU softball complex to give the team one of the most contemporary facilities in the region. Additionally, a professional-style backstop was added to give the fans a better viewing experience.

"They love it," said Sargent of the players' opinions of the new surface. "Our infielders are in heaven out there. We've been out there more in January this year than any other winter since I have been here."

Coach Sargent enters his seventh season at the helm of the Wolves. He holds a 170-150 overall record and a 92-61 mark in GNAC contests.