Coming Up – Azusa Pacific (March 23, Turlock, California, 11:30 a.m.), CSU San Marcos (March 23, Turlock, California, 2:00 p.m.), San Francisco State (March 24, Turlock, California, 9:00 a.m.), Chaminade (March 24, Turlock, California, 11:30 a.m.), Humboldt State (March 25, Turlock, California, 9:00 a.m.), Dominican (March 25, Turlock, California, 12:30 p.m.).
 
COMPLETE MEDIA GUIDE
 
Live Stats/Live Video – Live Stats of Saint Martin'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 of Champions - The Saints travel down to Turlock, California for six games in three days in the Tournament of Champions, hosted by CSU Stanislaus. Tournament information, including a complete schedule and stats can be found on warriorathletics.com.
 
Saints Travel To Oregon For Two Doubleheaders - The Saints (7-10, 2-4) managed to pull within one run of Western Oregon (13-10, 3-3) and put the tying run on third; however, were unable to deliver the clutch hit in the first game. In the second game, the Saints had no issues finding the clutch hit, scoring nine runs, second most this season, on 11 hits, including a five run fourth inning.
 
A four run fourth inning for the Saints (8-11, 3-5) was enough run support for SMU's pitching staff, as the Saints cruised to a 5-2 victory in the first game. After falling behind early, the Saints rallied to tie the game; however, Concordia (13-12, 3-5) scored four runs in the bottom of sixth to salvage a split.
 
Lights Out Pitching Staff – The Saints are second in the GNAC in earned run average. SMU has posted a 3.33 team ERA, only 0.23 runs behind first place Central Washington. The Saints are led by their two starters Lauren Maley and Kim Nelson, who have posted 3.02 and 3.24 ERAs respectively.
 
Nelson Controls The Plate – In over 45 innings of work, Kim Nelson has only allowed five walks. Nelson currently is posting a 2.0 K/BB ratio, striking out 10 batters this season.
 
Diuco Picks Up Right Where She Left Off – After being named to the 2017 GNAC first team as an unanimous selection last year, Diuco hit .438 in the Desert Stinger. Collecting 20 hits in 58 at-bats, Diuco also caused havoc in the base paths, going 10-for-10 in stolen base opportunities, raising her stolen base percentage to 91.5 percent in her career. Diuco is leading the team with a .345 average
 
Lindsay Miller Chasing Record Books – Entering the year, Miller was only 33 hits away from 200 in her career. Only six Saints have reached the 200-hit mark. On the year, Miller has 20 hits and is now 13 hits away from history.
 
Kim Nelson Closing In On History – Nelson is eyeing two milestones this season, the 500-inning mark and 50-win mark. Only one Saint has reached the 500-innings and 50+ win mark in their career (Sam Munger). Nelson entered the season with 36 wins and 420.1 innings pitched. So far, Nelson has won four games, and has pitched 45.1 innings meaning she is 12 wins and 34.1 innings away from both milestones.
 
Freshman Julia Lucas Impresses In Middle Of Order – Hitting in the middle of the order, Lucas provided some much need quality at-bats. For the season, Lucas is hitting .345 with two home runs and eight RBIs in only 29 at-bats. 
 
Position Breakdown –
Outfield: Taylor Wolf, Regan Byrd, Alyssa French, Lindsay Miller, Courtney Baird, Emily Baca, Lauren Diuco, Emery Norwood
Infield: 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)           OverallRecord 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
3.         Western Oregon (1)               29-24               14-14 (4th)                  42
3.         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