Coming Up – Sonoma State (February 2, Las Vegas, Nevada, 11:30 a.m.), CSU Monterey Bay (February 2, Las Vegas, Nevada, 4:30 p.m.), CSU San Bernardino (February 3, Las Vegas, Nevada, 11:30 a.m.). UC San Diego (February 4, Las Vegas, Nevada, 11:30 a.m.). Hawaii Hilo (February 4, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2:00 p.m.).
COMPLETE MEDIA GUIDE
Live Stats/Live Video – Live Stats SMU's Softball Games will be available with links found on smusaints.com. Live Video is TBA on a game-to-game basis. Live stats and video will be produced by the Host School.
Social Media – Follow the Saints on Twitter (@smu_softball) and follow SMU Athletics on Facebook (Saint Martin's Saints), Twitter (SMUAthletics), Instagram (saints_athletics) and YouTube (SMU Athletics).
Tournament Information -
Tournament Website
9th Annual Desert Stinger Tournament
Location: Majestic Park (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Stats: Available every game on msubsports.com
Host School: Montana State Billings
2018 Season Preview – Coming off another trip to the GNAC Championships, the Saints will begin the year under first year head coach
Jim Peterson. Peterson who was an assistant last season for the Saints, earned his first NCAA head coaching position in May, 2017. The Saints have a large hole to replace in the middle of the order, losing
Mary Dettling,
Jackie Schmaeling, and
Corrie Wilson, along with Shortstop
Alyssa Slate. Despite the loses, the Saints are poised to compete atop a difficult GNAC, after being voted tied for third by the coaches in the GNAC Preseason Poll. Leading the way will be the 2017 unanimous first-team All-GNAC selection,
Lauren Diuco, who looks to build on a .368 avg season. Not only was Diuco a threat at the plate with 56 hits, 16 RBIs, and 37 runs, she was a perfect 14-for-14 on the base paths and held a .966 fielding percentage in center field. Adding to the Saints' lineup is senior
Lindsay Miller, who is coming off of a 2017 second team All-GNAC season. Miller hit .363 with 57 hits, 17 RBIs, 39 runs, a .420 OBP and 14-for-16 in stealing. Backing up Diuco and L. Miller in the lineup is
Kim Nelson and
Sabrina Hicks. Nelson, an honorable mention All-GNAC selection last year, finished with a .325 avg, 2 HR, 21 RBI at the plate. Hicks adds power into the lineup with a team-leading 5 HR, and 25 RBIs, on a .306 avg, 41 hits, .515 SLG percent and 11 doubles. In the circle, the Saints will turn to Nelson and
Lauren Maley to once again led the staff. Nelson compiled a 12-10 record with a 3.49 ERA in 148.1 innings pitched along with 13 complete games, 37 strikeouts and only 23 walks. The junior from Ferndale, Washington, Maley looks to build on a 2017 campaign with an 8-4 record, 4.14 ERA in 76 IP and six complete games. Also returning for 2018 are key contributors
Taylor Wolf and
Nicki DeHan, who finished last year with .313 and .269 batting averages respectively. Wolf played in 27 games and was used mostly as a defensive specialist and pinch-runner, while DeHan saw action in 24 games as a defensive specialist as well. Adding experience this season are
Tessani Dixon,
Paige Miller, and
Alyssa French, who all combined for 98 games and 72 starts.
Emily Baca returns after her freshman season saw her score 12 runs in 29 games of action. The Saints brought in four new faces this season starting with
Macy Uyehara (IF, Fr., Kaneohe, Hawaii). Uyehara was a four-time All-State Honorable Mention selection, along with one first team ILH and three second team ILH awards. Joining Uyehara is
Devyn Connolly (C, Fr., Corona Calif.). Connolly was a 2017 first team All-League and 2016 second team All-League award winner, and also named to three All-Tournament teams in high school. Another addition to the catcher position is
Julia Lucas (Fr., San Jose, Calif.). Lucas is a highly decorated player, earning two All-WCAL and two All-CCS selections, while leading her team to four straight CCS and WCAL Championships. Lucas was also voted Team MVP and Defensive Player of the Year by her team. The fourth and final freshman is
Emery Norwood (OF, Fr., Tacoma, Wash.). The Stadium product, was voted to four All-League teams, including two first team selections while being nominated for the Tacoma Athletic Council's Athlete of the Year.
Position Breakdown –
Outfield:
Taylor Wolf,
Regan Byrd,
Alyssa French,
Lindsay Miller,
Courtney Baird,
Emily Baca,
Lauren Diuco,
Emery Norwood
Infield:
Macy Uyehara,
Tessani Dixon,
Nicki DeHan,
Sabrina Hicks,
Paige Miller
Catcher:
Devyn Connolly,
Julia Lucas,
Kylie Lopez
Pitchers:
Jessica O'Toole,
Lauren Maley,
Kim Nelson,
Lindsay Miller
Preseason Coaches' Poll –
| Pos. |
Team (1st Place Votes) |
Overall
Record |
GNAC Record
(Place) |
Pts. |
| 1. |
Central Washington (6) |
34-15 |
20-8 (1st) |
59 |
| 2. |
Western Washington |
34-19 |
19-9 (2nd) |
51 |
| 3. |
Northwest Nazarene (1) |
23-27 |
13-15 (5th) |
42 |
| |
Western Oregon (1) |
29-24 |
14-14 (4th) |
42 |
| |
Saint Martin's |
25-19 |
17-11 (3rd) |
42 |
| 6. |
Montana State Billings |
16-33 |
10-18 (7th) |
21 |
| 7. |
Concordia |
19-28 |
11-17 (6th) |
16 |
| 8. |
Simon Fraser |
12-32 |
8-20 (8th) |
15 |
