PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Western Oregon softball team was picked fourth in the GNAC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll released by the conference on Friday.

Three-time defending GNAC champion Northwest Nazarene was unanimously picked first followed by Western Washington, Saint Martin's, Western Oregon, Central Washington, Montana State Billings and Simon Fraser.

The Wolves are coming off a GNAC Championships appearance in 2023 in head coach Aly Boytz's first year at the helm by going 11-13 in conference and 22-30 overall. Two all-conference players return for the Wolves in outfielder Maddie Doig (second team) and Natalie Willoughby (honorable mention).

WOU opens the season next Friday at the Concordia Kickoff in Irvine, California - taking on host Concordia at 1:30 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. matchup with Cal State San Marcos.