BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The No. 13 nationally-ranked Western Washington University softball team prepares to host the 2024 NCAA II West Regional Championship Tournament at Viking Field from May 9-11. The Vikings enter as the No. 1 seed in the West Region after winning the GNAC Championships over Northwest Nazarene.

 

The Vikings have set the program-record for wins in a single season, finishing the regular season with a 39-7 record, and now a 42-7 record following the perfect 3-0 run through GNAC Championships held last weekend in Bellingham. WWU claimed its third GNAC Championships title, adding banners to postseason conference titles in 2017 and 2021. The previous record was 36 wins set by the 2011 Vikings squad. 

 

NCAA Championship Links to Bookmark:

• Tournament Website (Bellingham Pod)
• NCAA Tournament Scoreboard
• Free Webcast via Vikings TV on YouTube
• Live Statistics
• NCAA Bracket
• Ticket Information
• Digital Gameday Program
• NCAA Softball

 

The Vikings went undefeated in GNAC Championship play, winning all three games by at least two runs. WWU started the tournament with a 4-1 win over Saint Martin's, then a pair of wins over Northwest Nazarene in the semifinal and championship game. Freshman pitcher Alli Kimball recorded her 17th win of the season in the championship game, pitching five shutout innings allowing just 3 hits and recording 5 strikeouts. Fellow freshman pitcher Kaiana Kong picked up the save in the championship game, pitching two perfect innings and striking out the final batter of the game.

 

The Vikings will face the No. 8 seed Azusa Pacific to open the NCAA II West Regionals at noon on May 9 at Viking Field. WWU has won five of seven matchups against APU but have never faced them in Bellingham.

 

Western's 42-7 record came with a program record winning streak, one of the longest by any GNAC program. The Vikings record-breaking 17-game winning streak started on March 22 when the Vikings opened a 5-0 showing at the Tournament of Champions in Turlock, California, and continued with three consecutive four-game GNAC sweeps over Saint Martin's (home), Simon Fraser (road) and Montana State Billings (road). The 12-game GNAC winning streak also established a program best for consecutive conference victories.

 

GNAC Player of the Year Hailey Rath leads the conference batting .383 (64-for-167) with 22 extra-base hits (2B-13, 3B-2, HR-7) and ranks 2nd in the conference with 44 RBI. 

 

Third baseman Maleah Andrews earned First Team All-GNAC honors batting .348 (56-for-161) with 14 doubles, four triples, four home runs and leads the league with 43 runs scored and 30 walks. Junior catcher Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez ranks 2nd in the GNAC with a program single-season record 15 home runs and leads the conference with 45 RBI.

 

As good as the Vikings have been at the plate, they have been even better in the circle. WWU 9th in the nation with a 1.74 team ERA and 1.05 WHIP. The trio of Kaiana Kong (13-1, 7 SV, 1.25), Alli Kimball (17-2, 1.28) and Joie Baker (12-3, 2.24) have all recorded double-digits in wins. Western's defense has been another key to the team success with a .969 fielding percentage, tied for the GNAC lead.

 

The complete 2024 schedule, complete with links to watch games live and follow via live stats, is available at wwuvikings.com/Team32.

 

The Vikings will be the No. 1 seed in the NCAA II West Regional Championships and will open tournament play at noon Thursday (May 9) taking on No. 8 Azusa Pacific. WWU clinched the top spot in the NCAA II West Region following their win in the GNAC Championships. More info on the NCAA II Softball Championships can be found online at NCAA.com and via the West Regional website at wwuvikings.com/SB_Regional.

WWU won its third GNAC title over the weekend to earn an automatic bid to the 64-team field. This marks the Vikings sixth trip to regionals and first since 2021. The Vikings host No. 4 seed Cal State San Marcos, No. 5 Cal State East Bay and No. 8 Azusa Pacific in the three-day, double-elimination tournament that runs Thursday (May 9) through Saturday (May 11). WWU opens tournament play Thursday taking on APU at noon, with CSUSM and CSUEB to follow at 2:30 pm. All games will stream live online at wwuvikings.com/VikingsTV. Tickets for the games will be on sale one hour prior to the start of each game at the box office near Viking Field or online via wwuvikings.com/SB_Tickets.

 

Northwest Nazarene (#2), Concordia Irvine (#3), Cal State Dominguez Hills (#6) and Saint Martin's (#7) make up the other half of the West Region bracket. The winner of each sub-regional will meet for a best-of-three super regional May 14-15 (Tuesday-Wednesday) to determine the regional champion and earn a spot in the national championships in Longwood, Florida.

All games of the NCAA II West Regional Championships hosted by WWU will be live-streamed through the WWU YouTube page, which can be found at WWUVikings.com/VikingsTV.

 

WWU will host one of the two sub-regional tournaments in Bellingham at Viking Field, just a week after hosting the GNAC Championships. This marks the first time WWU has hosted an NCAA Softball Championships event. Here is a look at the Bellingham bracket with game times listed. The other side of the West Region bracket will be played in Nampa, Idaho on the campus of Northwest Nazarene University. The winner of each sub-regional advances to the West Super Regional played May 14-15 (best of 3), with the winner advancing to the NCAA II Championship Finals May 19-25 in Longwood, Florida.

 

 

Thursday, May 9:

Game 1 – No. 1 Western Washington vs. No. 8 Azusa Pacific, 12:00 pm

Game 2 – No. 4 Cal State San Marcos vs. No. 5 Cal State East Bay, 2:30 pm

Friday, May 10:

Game 3 – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 10:00 am

Game 4 – Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 12:30 pm (elimination game)

Game 5 – Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 3:00 pm (elimination game)

Saturday, May 11:

Game 6 – Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 12:00 pm

Game 7 – Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 2:30 pm (if necessary)

 

WWU is making its sixth all-time appearance in the NCAA Division II Softball Championships and first since 2021. The Vikings are 1-10 all-time in the NCAA Championships. Here is a look at the Vikings game-by-game listing in the NCAA Championships. Prior to moving to the NCAA level in 1999, WWU won the NAIA World Series for the first team title in WWU Athletics history:

 

2003 (Bakersfield, CA):

Lost to UC Davis, 4-2

Lost to Humboldt State, 7-1

 

2007 (Turlock, CA):

Lost to Stanislaus State, 2-0

Lost to Sonoma State, 3-1

 

2011 (Chico, CA):

Lost to Chico State, 3-1

Lost to Central Washington, 8-4

 

2017 (Seaside, CA):

Defeated Cal State Monterey Bay, 5-3

Lost to Dixie State, 5-0

Lost to Sonoma State, 6-4

 

2021 (Irvine, CA):

Lost to Hawai'i Hilo, 3-0

Lost to Central Washington, 9-5

 

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

 

 

• Azusa Pacific – The Vikings are 5-2 all-time against the Cougars…The Vikings last matchup against Azusa Pacific was a 6-5 win back in 2019…The Vikings have never played the Cougars at Viking Field.
• Cal St. San Marcos – The Vikings have an all-time record of 1-1 against the Cougars…WWU won 1-0 earlier in the season against CSUSM, as a part of their 17-game winning streak.
• Cal St. East Bay – The Vikings are 8-2 all-time against the Pioneers…WWU has outscored CSUEB 38-15 across the 10 historical matchups between the two programs…The Vikings last matchup against the Pioneers was a 6-1 win back in 2023.

 

Sophomore shortstop Hailey Rath was named the GNAC Player of the Year following her incredible 2024 campaign. Leading the GNAC with a .395 batting average (62-for-157) while recording 13 doubles, four triples, seven homers, and 42 runs batted in during the regular season. Head Coach Sheryl Gilmore was named the GNAC Coach of the Year after leading the Vikings on a record-breaking campaign. The Vikings won a program-record 39 games in the 2024 regular season, while also recording another program record with a 17-game winning streak.

 

The Vikings had seven players selected to the All-Conference team. WWU tied Northwest Nazarene with three first-team selections:

 

• Hailey Rath – First Team All-GNAC, GNAC Player of the Year
• Ashley Jacobson – First Team All-GNAC
• Maleah Andrews – First Team All-GNAC
• Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez – Second Team All-GNAC
• Kaiana Kong – Second Team All-GNAC
• Joie Baker – Honorable Mention All-GNAC
• Alli Kimball – Honorable Mention All-GNAC

 

Here is a look at the final regular season GNAC Softball standings with the Vikings finishing in 2nd place in the standings with a 19-5 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 42 (and counting), passing the 36 wins achieved by the 2011 squad (36-16/.692). This is the 10th 30-victory season in program history.

 

 

If you don't read anything past this portion of the preview on the Vikings, you should find out everything you need to know on the Vikings in the following bullet points:

 

·         The Record – 42-7 overall through 49 games, going 15-5 at home, 16-1 in road games and 11-1 neutral.

·         30 Wins – Reached the 30-win mark for the 10th time in program history and one win away from setting the program single-season wins record. 

·         West Region Ranking – Ranked No. 1 in the West Region in both regular-season listings by the NCAA.

·         National Ranking –No. 13 in the NFCA Coaches Poll.

·         Standings – Finished 2nd in the GNAC with a 19-5 record in conference games.

·         Winning Streak – Had a 17-game winning streak, breaking the record for the longest winning streak in program history following 13-0 start to the season…5th-longest winning streak by a GNAC team and longest since 2006 by Cal Poly Humboldt.

·         Perfect Start – Best undefeated start in program history going 13-0 to open the season, breaking the previous record of the 12-0 opening to 2011 season.

·         Pitch Perfect – Vikings rank 2nd in the GNAC and 9th in NCAA II with a 1.74 ERA…also 9th with 1.04 WHIP.

·         Top 15 Ranking – Listed No. 13 in NFCA Division II Coaches Poll…ranked in all polls this season.

·         Extra Innings – 6-1 record in extra-inning games.

·         Power Surge – Hit 39 home runs in 49 games, after hitting only 10 in 49 total games in 2023.

·         How to Follow – Home games feature a live and free webcast via Vikings TV and live statistical updates…all WWU games that have live coverage feature links available at wwuvikings.com/Live.

·         Nearly Spotless in the Circle – Kaiana Kong is 13-1 with seven saves and has allowed only 17 earned runs over 95.1 innings this season…leads the GNAC with a 1.25 ERA.

·         Rath Raking – Hailey Rath is batting .383 (64-for-167) to lead the GNAC while also leading the conference with 64 hits…career .377 hitter (123-for-326) during her collegiate career at WWU (2B-30, 3B-4, HR-14, RBI-81).

·         Joltin' Jacobson– Ashley Jacobson ranks 4th on the team batting .317 (46-for-145) with 11 2B, 7 HR and 29 RBI…recorded a 13-game hitting streak, the second longest streak of the season for the Vikings.

·         Power Bats – Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez leads the team and is 2nd in the GNAC with 15 homers. Ashley Jacobson (7) and Hailey Rath (7) round out the top three home run hitters on the team.

·         Always Hitting – Maleah Andrews owns the team's longest hitting streak this season, including a 15-game hitting streak from Mar. 29-Apr. 20 (.472/25-for-53), while also recording a 10-game hitting streak earlier in the season…Andrews is batting .348 in 49 games (56-for-161) and has reached base safely in 42 of 49 games…Leads the GNAC with 30 walks.

·         Silver Sluggers – Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez (3rd, .620) ,Hailey Rath (4th, .611),and Maleah Andrews (5th, .559) all rank in the top five in the GNAC in slugging percentage.

·         Freshman in the Circle – WWU freshman pitchers Alli Kimball (17-2, 1.28 ERA) and Kaiana Kong (13-1, 7 SV, 1.25 ERA) have combined to go 30-3 in the circle this season.

·         GWRBI – Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez leads the team with 8 game-winning RBI…also tied for the team lead with 10 multi-RBI games…45 RBI on the season lead the GNAC.

·         Free Admission & Parking – All WWU home games offer free fan admission and there is no charge for parking in the C lots on south campus beginning one hour prior to first pitch.

·         NCAA II West Regionals – WWU will host the NCAA II Softball West Regional Championships May 9-11 at Viking Field.

·         The Head Coach – Sheryl Gilmore is in her sixth season as the WWU head coach…owns 157-98 (.611) record at the helm of the Vikings.

·         Team 32 – 2024 is the 32nd season in program history…WWU has an all-time record of 790-627-1 (.556).

 

The Vikings recorded a program record 17-game winning streak, the team's second double-digit winning streak this season. Western opened the season with a school-record 13 consecutive wins for the best undefeated start in program and GNAC history and have surpassed the school-record winning streak with the current run of consecutive wins. The Vikings outscored opponents 108-37 in the 17-game stretch, including four shutouts.

 

The Vikings had its program-record 17-game winning streak snapped with the 3-2 loss in the opener last weekend vs. CWU, the first defeat since March 16. WWU also had a 13-0 start to the season to mark the best undefeated start in program and GNAC history. 

 

 

The 17-game winning streak was the longest by a GNAC team not named Humboldt State (now goes by Cal Poly Humboldt). WWU's current streak is 5th-longest in conference history and the longest since the 2006 season when CPH had winning streaks of 29 and 19 games.

 

 

Junior catcher Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez has tallied a single-season record 15 home runs in the 2024 season, surpassing the 14 homers hit by Emily Benson in 2019. Here is a look at the WWU single-season HR leaders

 

 

Through all 49 games of the season, the pitching staff has posted a 1.74 team ERA, allowing 86 earned runs in 346.0 innings pitched. The Vikings rank 9th nationally and 2^nd in the GNAC in ERA, while also ranking 9th in NCAA II with a 1.04 WHIP (Walks + Hits/Innings Pitched). Freshman Kaiana Kong (13-1, 1.25, 7 SV), freshman Alli Kimball (17-2, 1.28) and junior Joie Baker (12-3, 2.24) have logged the vast majority of the Vikings innings this season combining to form one of the best pitching performances in the nation. 

 

Nearly as impressive to the pitching stats this year has been the defensive team performance. The Vikings tied for the lead the GNAC and rank 41st in the nation with a team fielding percentage of .969, making only 45 errors in 49 games. The team has played error free in 21 of 49 games, boasting an 16-5 record in those contests. The team single season record for fielding percentage is .970 by the 2011 team.

 

The Vikings are ranked at No. 13 in the NFCA Division II Coaches Poll after winning the GNAC Softball Championships. WWU has moved up gradually during the 2024 season to its current top 15 ranking, after debuting at No. 18 on February 14. This season marks the first time WWU has ranked in program history since 2011. WWU and NNU (No. 14) are both in the national top 25 to mark the first time in recent history to have two conference teams in the top 25. Here is a look at the national week-by-week national rankings for the Vikings in 2024:

 

 

WWU is 42-7 on the season having played extremely well in close games going 11-4 in 1-run games and 6-2 in games decided by two runs. The Vikings are also 6-1 in extra-inning contests.

 

When hitting a home run the Vikings are 25-1 this season. WWU tied the single-game program record with five homers in the third game of the series at MSUB and have homered in 26 of 49 games. Through the first 49 games, the Vikings have hit 39 home runs to tie the most single-season home runs hit in program history. Here is a look at WWU's top home run hitting seasons in 32 years of program history:

 

 

The Vikings have hit 39 home runs in 49 games, after belting just 10 longballs in 49 games last season. The 39 home runs rank 2nd in the GNAC and rank in the top 50 in the nation for home runs per game. The season total home runs have also cracked the program top five for a single season. Junior catcher Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez leads the team and is 2nd in the GNAC lead with 15 home runs, followed by seven homers from both Ashley Jacobson and Hailey Rath, four from Maleah Andrews, three from Riley Anderson, and two from Kanilehua Pitoy. 

 

The Vikings closed out the regular-season home portion of the schedule hosting Central Washington in a four-game series at Viking Field. WWU's four seniors were celebrated during the series with a special pregame recognition prior to Saturday's doubleheader. The Vikings four seniors are center fielder Taylor Khorrami, catcher Emily Paulson, first baseman Ashley Jacobson and pitcher Hanako Hirai.

 

Sophomore shortstop Hailey Rath leads the GNAC batting .383 (64-for-167) through all 49 games of the regular season. Rath is also 4th in the GNAC with a .611 slugging percentage with 13 doubles, two triples and seven home runs. She also leads the conference with 64 hits and is 2nd with 44 RBI. In 98 games as a Viking, Rath is batting .377 (123-for-326) with 30 doubles, four triples, 14 home runs and 81 RBI.

 

Senior first baseman Ashley Jacobson currently ranks 4th on the team with a .317 batting average (46-for-145). Jacobson has belted seven home runs and driven in 29 runs in her first season as a Viking. The Snohomish native spent her first three collegiate seasons at Division I Stony Brook, combining to bat .298 (67-for-225) with 11 home runs and 40 RBI in 81 games. Her mother, Margaret, played softball at WWU during the program's inaugural season in 1993.

 

The Vikings have recorded 116 extra base hits this season (2B-69, 3B-8, HR-39) with sophomore Hailey Rath and freshman Maleah Andrews leading the team lead with 22 extra-base hits each through 49 games. Last season Rath set the freshman record for extra base hits by picking up 26 total (2B-17, 3B-2, HR-7), which was one-off the all-time record of 27 set by Emily Benson in 2019. 

 

The Vikings combined to go 14-0 this season in games played in California, recording a 4-0 record at the CUI Kickoff Classic, 5-0 in the North Bay Challenge and 5-0 in the Tournament of Champions. The Vikings out-scored opponents 76-30 when playing in California.

 

The Vikings are a remarkable 16-1 in true road games this season, while going 27-2 combined when playing away from Bellingham. The 42-7 overall record also includes a 15-5 record in home games, going 13-5 at Viking Field and 2-0 at Sehome High School. 

 

Here is a look at the GNAC Player and Pitcher of the Week selections from the 2024 season, with the Vikings winning eight awards, including all three pitchers winning the Pitcher of the Week award:

 

 

The Western Washington University softball team has been successful on the field this season earning a top 15 national ranking and has also performed well as student-athletes with seven players earning a spot on the 2024 GNAC Softball All-Academic Team. Senior center fielder Taylor Khorrami highlighted the seven selections with her fourth career GNAC Academic All-Star award with a 3.62 GPA as a finance major. Junior pitcher Joie Baker, junior outfielder Lexi Barcomb and senior catcher Emily Paulson were repeat selections to the GNAC All-Academic Team, presented by Barnes and Noble College.

 

 

Here is a complete look at the 2024 GNAC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll:

 

 

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!

 

The WWU softball program enters its 32nd season in 2024 while coming off a 26-23 campaign in 2023 while advancing to the GNAC Championships Finals. 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 20 times during the 31-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. During the 10-season span from 2014-2024, the Vikings have combined to go 285-202 and won a pair of GNAC Tournament titles in 2017 & 2021.