MONMOUTH, Ore. – Having just played Montana State Billings on Feb. 26, the Western Oregon University softball team will host the Yellowjackets for a second time this season when the teams open up a four-game Great Northwest Athletic Conference series this Saturday and Sunday at the WOU Softball Field. The games the first time around didn't count as GNAC games, where as the games this week will. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. and then another doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 12 p.m. Times were moved back one hour each day with weather possibilities in the morning.
WOU (13-12, 0-4 GNAC) played the past eight games all on the road traveling to Bellingham, Lacey and Burnaby. The Wolves just finished a trip to Canada to open conference play this past weekend. Simon Fraser was able to take all four games, including two in extra innings. It was a big weekend for Kirah McGlothan as she hit .615 with eight hits, six RBI, a home run, three runs scored and drew a walk while not striking out in 13 at-bats. She had three multi-hit games, going for a 3-3 game in the series finale with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. During the first DH of the series, McGlothan went 2-4 in each game, driving in four in game two on a pair of doubles.
When WOU and MSUB played just a few weeks ago, the Wolves rolled to a DH sweep winning by scores of 10-2 and 9-0, both in five innings. The second DH of the weekend was rained out and canceled.
Logan Carlos leads the Wolves with a .416 batting average, tallying 37 hits, 22 runs, six doubles, four triples, five home runs and 22 RBI. Zoie Recolan is hitting .397 with 27 hits, nine runs, six doubles, a triple and eight RBI. Natalie Willoughby is hitting .275 with 21 hits, 21 runs, three doubles, nine home runs and 22 RBI. Maddie Doig holds a .352 average with 25 hits, 12 runs, five doubles, a triple, two home runs and six RBI. McGlothan is hitting .342 with 25 hits, 17 runs, six doubles, two home runs and 19 RBI. Kate Ronning and Sophie Franklin are each hitting .306. Ronning has 22 hits, 15 runs, four doubles and 10 RBI. Franklin has 15 hits, 10 runs, three doubles, a triple and 11 RBI. Erica Soliz is hitting .464 in 28 at-bats this season, coming away with 13 hits, six runs, two doubles and eight RBI. As a team, WOU is hitting .313 with 208 hits, 137 runs, 36 doubles, eight triples, 18 home runs, 125 RBI, 78 walks and have gone 14-19 in stolen base attempts. Opponents are hitting .283 with 180 hits, 111 runs, 30 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs 96 RBI, 80 walks and have gone 40-45 in stolen base attempts.
In the circle, Maddie Mayer has a 2.87 ERA in 46.1 innings, going 4-4 with a save, along with 34 strikeouts. She has three complete games and a shutout this year. Reilly Tidwell has a 3.47 ERA in 42.1 innings, holding a 2-2 record and 27 strikeouts. She has two complete games and a shutout this year. Chelsea Smith leads the team with a 7-2 mark in 46.2 innings, holding a 3.75 ERA and 47 strikeouts. She has four complete games and a shutout on the year. Nicki Derrick has pitched in 10.1 innings, holding a 7.45 ERA and has appeared in six games that includes a start. Jada Young has pitched in eight innings this year and has four total appearances that includes two starts. Soliz has pitched in three games on the season that also includes a start. As a staff, WOU has a 4.30 ERA in 156.1 innings, posting 119 strikeouts to 80 walks. Opponents have a 4.96 ERA in 159.1 innings, coming away with 91 strikeouts to 78 walks.
Carlos is fourth in the GNAC in batting average, while Recolan is tenth. Mayer ranks fourth in ERA, with Tidwell coming in seventh and Smith in tenth. Carlos leads the GNAC in hits, with Recolan fourth and both McGlothan and Doig tied for sixth. Carlos is third in runs scored, with Willoughby fourth and McGlothan tied for sixth. Willoughby leads the conference in home runs, with Carlos tied for second. Carlos also leads the GNAC in triples and in total bases (66), with Willoughby second in total bases (51) and Doig tied for seventh (38). Willoughby and Carlos are tied for second in the GNAC in RBI, with McGlothan coming in seventh. Willoughby is fifth in walks, while Bella Valdes is tied for seventh. Willoughby is seventh in on-base percentage (.493) and Carlos is ninth (.469). Willoughby leads the conference in slugging percentage (.911) and Carlos is third (.742). Smith is second in the GNAC in wins, while Mayer is tied for fifth. Smith is sixth in innings pitched, followed by Mayer in seventh and Tidwell in ninth. Smith is second in strikeouts, while Mayer is sixth. Mayer is tied for fourth in appearances. Mayer, Derrick and Soliz all have a save on the season and make up almost have of the total saves in the conference with seven. Tidwell is tied for fifth in games started. Smith, Mayer and Tidwell are tied for third in shutouts. Smith is tied for second in complete games. Smith is fifth in opponent batting average against and Tidwell is seventh.
In the earlier meetings this season, WOU cruised to the 10-2 win in the first game. Smith tossed the five inning complete game win, posting nine strikeouts. McGlothan went 3-3 with three runs scored and an RBI. In the 9-0 win in game two, Mayer tossed a five inning complete game shutout, coming away with four strikeouts. Carlos went 3-3 with two runs scored and four RBI. Willoughby added two hits, two runs scored and three RBI. Carlos and Doig each hit home runs, while Willoughby launched a pair of home runs.
Montana State Billings has been able to play only one series since leaving Monmouth. Their home series against Simon Fraser was canceled due to weather. This past weekend they traveled to Ellensburg and split a four-game series with the Wildcats. MSUB is 8-14 overall and 2-2 in GNAC play, having played all of their games away from Billings so far this season.
Brittanee Fisher leads the team with a .340 average, tallying 16 hits, 12 runs, three doubles, five home runs and 11 RBI. Marin Penney is hitting .304 with 17 hits, nine runs, three doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI. Maycen O'Neal has three home runs and 16 RBI, while both Sidney Pollard and Jazlyn Kalehuawehe have each hit two home runs. Lauren Blaschak has three home runs and 17 RBI on the season in 39 at-bats, while hitting .462. As a team, MSUB is hitting .271 with 151 hits, 108 runs, 31 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 102 RBI, 74 walks and are 15-16 in stolen bases. Opponents are hitting .305 with 170 hits, 119 runs, 28 doubles, six triples, 10 home runs, 89 RBI, 74 walks and are 38-47 in stolen bases.
In the circle, Alyssa Ehteridge is 3-4 in 44.2 innings, throwing three complete games with a shutout, along with 42 strikeouts, along with a 3.13 ERA. Julia Qualteri is 4-5 in 39 innings, holding a 4.13 ERA with four complete games and 33 strikeouts. Jenna Kister adds the other win on the staff in 29.2 innings. As a staff, MSUB has a 4.47 ERA in 133 innings, coming away with 101 strikeouts to 74 walks. Opponents have a 4.72 ERA in 138 innings, coming away with 104 strikeouts to 74 walks.
WOU has gone 7-3 in the past 10 meetings including the two earlier meetings this season. The Wolves are 26-8 at home against the 'Jackets since 2003 and are 39-36 overall during that time. WOU has won the past five meetings in Monmouth.
Live video and stats will be available for the games against Montana State Billings. Live video can be found here and live stats can be found here.
Tickets can be purchased here or can be purchased at the gate by cash only.
