BY DONNIE SANTOS
Staff Reporter
As the Wildcat’s (25-16 overall, 14-6 GNAC) softball regular season comes to a close, the team is looking to add onto their six game win streak.
The last series of the regular season will be against Northwest Nazarene (11-32, 3-17) in Nampa, Idaho.
“The girls have bought into the team philosophy,” head coach Mallory Holtman said.“We are taking it one game at a time and that has given us success throughout the year. This weekend is very important for us heading into the playoffs.”
The Wildcat’s have no intention on looking by NNU, who has not clinched a playoff spot.
“These are the teams that scare you the most,” senior second baseman Jill McDaniels said. “They have nothing to lose and definitely want to end their season on a high note upsetting us.”
The red-hot McDaniels has found her comfort zone in the middle of the potent Wildcat offense. She went 6-for-12 with two home runs last weekend, bringing her season totals to .342 batting average and nine home runs.
It’s not only the offense that is peaking at the right time of the season. The Wildcat’s defense and pitching has been on point the last half of the season.
Carrying most of the load is senior pitcher Maria Gau, who has a 14-6 record, 2.30 ERA and 131 innings pitched. The right-hander has proven herself as the team workhorse this season.
“At the beginning of the season our offense and defense would show up on different times,” Gau said. “But lately it’s been all coming together. It’s very exciting.”
The Wildcat’s went 4-0 last weekend, sweeping Western Oregon and Saint Martin’s in both doubleheaders.
It was the last home series of the season for the Wildcat’s and the last home games ever for the seniors.
This result made it a bittersweet experience for seniors Taryn Smith, Maikala Galusha, Jordan Zurfluh, Gau and McDaniels.
The sunny weather not only brought good play from the Wildcat’s, but packed seating all around the field.
“It was the best way to go out,” Gau said, “We got so much support from students and other athletic teams. It was a great day.”
Games versus NNU will be played on Friday and Saturday. It will be one last tune up before the GNAC conference tournament in Richland, Wash.
Wildcats sit just two games back of conference leader Western Oregon University.
Central needs Western Oregon to lose at least two games for a chance at the regular season conference title.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Holtman said. “But we are going to end the regular season strong. We aren’t looking past anyone.”
