MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Washington University softball team closed out the regular season with a doubleheader sweep over Western Oregon in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

No. 13 nationally-ranked WWU defeated WOU 9-3 in the opening game and closed out the sweep with a 5-1 victory to complete the regular season with a 39-7 overall record. The Vikings took three of four games vs. the Wolves in the series played at WOU Softball Field. The Vikings placed 2nd in the GNAC to earn the No. 2 seed with a 19-5 league record, which included an 11-1 road conference record. 

The Vikings open the postseason Thursday (May 2) hosting the GNAC Championships at Viking Field with a noon game vs. No. 3 seed Saint Martin's. No. 1 Northwest Nazarene will play No. 4 Central Washington in the second game Thursday scheduled for 2:30 pm. More information on the GNAC Championships in Bellingham, including ticket and parking information, can be found at GNACSports.com.

Junior Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez provided one of the many highlights of the day hitting her 15th home run of the season to set the WWU single-season record. Sophomore shortstop Hailey Rath went 5-for-8 with four RBI between the two games.

Freshman Kaiana Kong recorded a win and a save in the doubleheader sweep, logging 5.0 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Kong did not allow a run in 8.2 innings in the circle while appearing in all four games in the series vs. WOU. Freshman Alli Kimball improved to 15-2 on the season with a 1.39 ERA earning the game two victory allowing one run in 5.0 innings.

The Vikings (39-7, 19-5 GNAC) return home to Viking Field to host the 2024 GNAC Championships May 2-4 in Bellingham. WWU is the No. 2 seed in the four-team tournament and will open the postseason playing No. 3 Saint Martin's at noon on Thursday. The complete 2024 WWU Softball schedule can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com.

The Vikings clinched four spots in the GNAC Softball Championships that will be held May 2-4 at Viking Field in Bellingham. WWU will be the No. 2 seed in the GNAC Championships and will open postseason play at noon Thursday (May 2) taking on No. 3 Saint Martin's. More info on the GNAC Championships can be found online at GNACSports.com.

2024 GNAC Softball Championships Schedule

Western Washington University | Bellingham, Wash. | All times listed Pacific

Thursday, May 2

Game 1: Noon – No. 3 Seed Saint Martin's vs. No. 2 Seed Western Washington

Game 2: 2:30 p.m. – No. 4 Seed Central Washington vs. No. 1 Seed Northwest Nazarene

Friday, May 3

Game 3: 10 a.m. – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2

Game 4: 12:30 p.m. – Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2

Game 5:  3 p.m. – Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3

Saturday, May 4

Game 6: Noon – Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5

Game 7: 2:30 p.m. – Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary)

Tickets for the 2024 GNAC Softball Championships can be purchased online via GNACTickets.com. 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2024 season:

Here is a look at the final GNAC Softball standings from the regular season with the Vikings placing 2nd with a 19-5 league record. The top four teams in the conference standings at the conclusion of the regular season will qualify for the GNAC Championships May 2-4 in Bellingham at Vikings Field. All updated stats, standings and schedule from the conference are available online at GNACSports.com.

WWU has set the program record for wins in a season with 39 (and counting), passing the 36 wins achieved by the 2011 squad (36-16/.692). This is the 10th 30-victory season in program history.

Junior catcher Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez homered in back-to-back days to set the WWU single-season record with 15 home runs. Andrewjeski-Ramirez broke the record of 14 homers set by Emily Benson in 2019. WWU has hit 39 home runs this season to equal the most in a season in program history.