BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University softball team returns to the diamond this weekend with five games in the 12th Annual Desert Stinger at Lincoln Park in Tucson, Arizona.
 
The Vikings opened the season last weekend going 2-3 at the CUI Kickoff Classic in Irvine, California, ending the 21-team tournament on a high note winning consecutive games against Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State Monterey Bay.
 
WWU's five-game tournament schedule in Tucson includes games against San Francisco State, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Washburn, Minot State and MSU Denver. The Vikings first game on Friday is scheduled for 12 pm MT/11 am PT against San Francisco State. All games will feature live statistical updates with direct links available on the tournament website at MSUBSports.com.
 
The Vikings have been a consistent participant in the Desert Stinger, with the first 11 versions of the tournament hosted by Montana State Billings being held in Las Vegas. WWU is 21-17 (.553) in eight previous trips to the Desert Stinger.
 
Through the first five games of the season the Vikings have been powered by a solid performance in the circle. WWU combined for a 2.55 ERA in Irvine last weekend, led by senior Kira Doan (0-1, 1.05 ERA, 13.1 IP) and freshman Joie Baker (2-1, 1.79 ERA, 15.2 IP). Senior shortstop Tatum Dow is batting .250 (4-for-16) and senior first baseman Dakota Brooks has recorded three extra-base hits, including her 10th career home run. Sophomore Macy Tarbox is also 3-for-6 at the plate and freshman Ellie Jespersen is 2-for-7 with a triple.
  The home opener is scheduled for Saturday, February 19 with a non-conference doubleheader against the University of Puget Sound at Viking Field. WWU will play eight non-counting games against GNAC opponents before officially opening the conference slate at home March 11-12 with four games against Northwest Nazarene. The complete 2022 WWU Softball schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/SB_Schedule.
  Here is a detailed look at WWU's five-game schedule at the Desert Stinger held at Lincoln Park in Tucson, Arizona. A comprehensive tournament website is available at MSUBSports.com, which includes important fan information in regards to tickets and field locations. All games will feature live statistical updates online with links listed below:
 

Date	Opponent	First Pitch	Field	Series History	Live Coverage
Friday, 2/11	San Francisco State	12 pm MT/11 am PT	4	13-9	Live Stats
Friday, 2/11	Cal State Dominguez Hills	2:30 pm MT/1:30 pm PT	4	9-11	Live Stats
Saturday, 2/12	Washburn	2:30 pm MT/1:30 pm PT	2	0-0	Live Stats
Saturday, 2/12	Minot State	5 pm MT/4 pm PT	3	0-0	Live Stats
Sunday, 2/13	MSU Denver	12 pm MT/11 am PT	2	1-1	Live Stats

  Up-to-date season information, including season statistics, bios, roster, schedule and historical information can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/Softball. WWU Softball also has a strong social media presence on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, so give them a follow!

SB🥎 | Here is a look at the schedule for @WWU_Softball at the Desert Stinger in Tucson this weekend.

Follow all the action through live stats at https://t.co/BMpAP01CPf. pic.twitter.com/BzA0Yux5DB
— WWU Athletics (@WWUAthletics) February 10, 2022

  The WWU softball program enters its 30th season in 2022. WWU advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for the fifth time in program history in 2021 after winning the GNAC Tournament. WWU has posted a winning record 18 times during the 30-year history of the program, which won the 1998 NAIA National Championship in only its sixth season to record the school's first ever team national title. Over the last eight seasons (since 2014), the Vikings are 195-148 and have won two of the last four GNAC Tournament titles (2017 & 2019).