LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. – The Western Washington University softball team had another explosive day at the plate earning a 14-4 victory over Colorado Christian University in a neutral-site game at Rosetta Canyon Sports Park.
The Vikings recorded 11 hits and hit a season-high four home runs in the 5-inning game shortened by the run rule. WWU improved to 4-2 on the season with five games remaining in Lake Elsinore for the D2 West Coast Challenge that will take place Friday-Sunday.
Two days after defeating Hawai'i Pacific 13-0, the Viking bats showed no signs of slowing down with the 14-run performance against the Cougars. Sophomore right fielder EmmaJoy Wise got things started in the first inning with a two-run home run to left-center field.
WWU added four runs in the top of the second inning with sophomore Emily McCutcheon plating a pair of runs with a two-out single to center field.
Western added to its lead with back-to-back solo home runs from junior third baseman Maleah Andrews and Wise's second home run of the game, and blew the game open with a six-run top of the fifth inning. McCutcheon capped the inning with a two-run homer to left-center field.
Freshman starting pitcher Alanna Wirtala earned the win improving to 3-1 on the season scattering a pair of hits in 5.0 scoreless innings. Wirtala struck out five and did not walk a batter. She was removed from the game after 4.0 innings, but re-entered in the bottom of the fifth inning to close out the victory. In four collegiate starts Wirtala is 3-1 with a 1.22 ERA (4 ER, 23.0 IP) with 23 strikeouts.
Wise finished 3-for-4 with four runs scored, 10 total bases and five RBI and McCutcheon went 2-for-4 with four RBI.
Western Washington 14, Colorado Christian 4 (Feb 03, 2026 at Lake Elsinore, CA)
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Western Washington...... 240 26 - 14 11 0 (4-2)
Colorado Christian...... 000 04 - 4 5 2 (4-2)
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WWU - Wirtala; Massena(5) and Pewitt
CCU - Liddell; Davis (4) and Garcia
Win-Wirtala (3-1) Loss-Liddell (1-2) T-1:32 A-33
HR WWU - Andrews (1); Wise 2 (2); McCutcheon (1)
The Vikings (4-2) remain in Lake Elsinore to play five games in the D2 West Coach Challenge at Rosetta Canyon Sports Park playing two games Friday (Cal Poly Humboldt and Cal State East Bay), two games Saturday (Colorado Mesa and San Francisco State) and one game Sunday (Cal State Dominguez Hills). The complete tournament schedule can be viewed at CSUSMCougars.com.
Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2026 season:
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RECORD BREAKDOWN
|
|
Overall
|
4-2
|
|
GNAC
|
0-0
|
|
Non-Conference
|
3-2
|
|
Streak
|
W2
|
|
Home
|
0-0
|
|
Away
|
0-1
|
|
Neutral
|
4-1
|
|
vs. Ranked Teams
|
0-0
|
|
1-Run Games
|
1-1
|
|
2-Run Games
|
0-0
|
|
Extra Innings
|
1-0
|
|
Shutouts
|
1-0
|
|
BY UNIFORM
|
|
Light Blue Pinstripes
|
0-2
|
|
Blue/White
|
2-0
|
|
Black
|
1-0
|
|
Gray
|
0-0
|
|
White/Navy
|
1-0
|
|
Gray/Blue
|
0-0
|
The WWU softball program enters its 34th season in 2026 while coming off a historic 47-13 season in 2025. The Vikings claimed their fourth GNAC title by winning the 2025 postseason tournament and advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for the seventh time in program history. Playing in the NCAA postseason for the seventh time, WWU won its second consecutive West Regional title defeating Cal State East Bay in the sub-regional and Cal State San Marcos in the Super Regional. The historic season ended playing in the D2 World Series in Chattanooga, Tennessee, reaching the semifinal round (Final Four). WWU has posted a winning record 22 times during the 33-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 three seasons the program has combined to go 103-27 (.792).
