By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University softball team had three players earn All-West Region honors for the 2026 season.
Junior third baseman Maleah Andrews headlined the group as a consensus First Team All-Region selection by the NFCA and D2CCA, with senior shortstop Hailey Rath earning second-team honors by both organizations. Sophomore catcher EmmaJoy Wise earned her first regional award as a second-team selection by D2CCA.
2026 All-West Region Honors:
Andrews (Shoreline, WA/Bothell HS) earned first-team all-region honors for the second consecutive season leading the Vikings with a .402 batting average (68-for-169). The third baseman recorded 33 extra-base hits with 18 doubles, two triples and 13 home runs to account for 48 RBI. Andrews continued to be an on-base machine drawing 49 walks for a .541 on-base percentage and 1.304 OPS. In addition to the all-region awards, Andrews was selected as the GNAC Player of the Year.
Rath (Eatonville, WA) earned All-West Region honors for the third time in her career capping her illustrious career with a standout senior season. During the 2026 season she started all 57 games while batting .335 (55-for-164) with 12 doubles, 15 home runs and 62 RBI. Rath completed her career as one of the most decorated players in WWU and GNAC history as a four-time first-team all-conference selection, setting the GNAC record with 200 RBI. Rath played in all 230 games (and every inning) of her collegiate career setting program records in hits (255), doubles (61), extra-base hits (105) and RBI (200).
Wise (Stanwood, WA/Everett CC) had an impressive debut in her first season with the Vikings earning GNAC Newcomer of the Year and first-team all-conference honors. Wise started all 57 games while making 43 starts at catcher. She batted .385 (67-for-174) with 45 runs scored, 13 doubles, 11 home runs and 52 RBI.
The Vikings went 35-22 during the 2026 season, finishing second in the GNAC regular-season standings (16-8) and won their third consecutive GNAC Tournament title. WWU made its third straight trip to the NCAA West Regional Championships, going 1-2 in the Hayward Regional.
The WWU softball completed its 34th season in 2026 advancing to the NCAA West Regional Championship for the third consecutive season. The Vikings claimed their third consecutive GNAC tournament title in 2026 after finishing second during the regular season. WWU made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Division II World Series in 2024 and 2025, and has made eight all-time appearances in the NCAA West Regional Championships. WWU won its second consecutive West Regional title in 2025 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 23 times during the 34-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 134-47 (.740). Head coach Sheryl Gilmore is the program's all-time leader in wins going 249-138 (.643) in her eight seasons at the helm of the program.
