The Central Wildcats softball team will try to get back to their winning ways after splitting the weekend up north last week. What looms are four upcoming conference games versus the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders (NNU).

These games will give the Wildcats a chance to put the past behind them and start on a fresh note at home.

The Wildcats (8-7 overall, 2-2 GNAC) are coming off road losses to in-state rival Western Washington University.

The Wildcats tied with Western Oregon for the number one ranking in the GNAC preseason poll. Central will want to forget the losses to Western Washington University.

Head coach Mallory Holtman-Fletcher never likes to lose, but knows the Wildcats can use the losses to their advantage.

“We need to build on what we did at Western,” Holtman-Fletcher said. “Defensively we were on fire, made some big plays.”

The Crusaders (2-13 overall, 0-4 GNAC) were picked to finish last in the GNAC in the preseason polls, but a lot can change in the course of a season.

The Wildcats need to focus and be ready to get wins against the Crusaders. The Crusaders rely on senior first baseman Brianna Kinghorn on offense.

Kinghorn has a batting average of .316 with 12 RBIs this year.

Junior outfielder Ali Schauer has put up similar numbers to Kinghorn.

Schauer is hitting .302 on the year with an outstanding 1.000 fielding percentage.

Holtman-Fletcher noted that the Crusaders have some offensive firepower but the Wildcats’ pitchers present a great challenge as well.

“We are really lucky with the pitchers we have. We will just attack them like normal,” Holtman-Fletcher said “No matter who they are pitching to they can win the battle.”

The Crusaders will likely have sophomore pitcher Ashley Pesek pitching for at least one of the games.

While Pesek has pitched, the Wolves have a 2-9 record and she has 3.43 ERA this season.

Peske has racked up 18 strikeouts in 12 innings versus Western Oregon in the Crusaders last games.

The Wildcats have fielded a great team this year, thus their preseason number one ranking in the GNAC.

This team is led by sophomore shortstop Taylor Ferleman. Ferleman has been an offensive juggernaut so far hitting .347, ranking second in the GNAC.

Sophomore second baseman Sammy Morris is hitting .431 on the year, which ranks third in the GNAC right behind Ferleman.

Morris believes that confidence is key to her early season hitting success.

“A lot of work at practice and you step in the box at a game, get your confidence and turn on your swag,” Morris said.

The Wildcats have a two headed monster when it comes to pitching this year.

With most teams relying on one primary starter to battle through the year the Wildcats have two lights-out pitchers: junior Lindsey Kamphuis and sophomore Kiana Woods.

Kamphuis is leading the way 2.68 ERA in eight appearances, good for a 3-4 record.

Her 2.68 ERA is fifth best in the GNAC.

Kamphuis, who transferred to Central and redshirted last year has been a great addition to the Wildcats. When Kamphuis isn’t dominating the mound, there is no drop off with Woods.

Just like the hitting, the pitching doesn’t drop off much from the first to second player.

Woods has been great so far, posting a 2.79 ERA in eight appearances, good for a 4-2 record.

With a 2.79 ERA Woods is sitting just behind Kamphuis for the sixth spot in the GNAC.

Kamphuis is a strong believer in putting in the work during the offseason to get results in the season.

“We worked really hard in the winter, really focused on my spin and get my mentality right.” Kamphuis said.