NAMPA, Idaho - The Great Northwest Athletic Conference Softball Coaches Poll was released this afternoon and the Crusaders have been picked to finish fifth in the GNAC in 2012.

Coming off a fourth-place GNAC finish in 2011 the Crusaders were 16-19 in conference games last year which set a new school record for conference wins.

Here is the GNAC Coaches Poll
1.  Montana State Billings (3)
2.  Central Washington (2)
3.  Western Washington (2)
4.  Simon Fraser
5.  Northwest Nazarene
6.  Western Oregon
7.  Saint Martin's
Note:  First-place votes in parenthesis.

The Crusaders will open play for the 2012 season this weekend with a four-game series at UC San Diego.

Here is the full GNAC Pre-Season Preview, written by GNAC Sports Information Director Bob Guptill...

MSUB Narrow Favorite to Dethrone Two-Time Champ CWU



SPOKANE, Wash.  –   Montana State Billings won its last nine games and 13 of its final 15 contests last spring.
 
While that wasn't enough for the Yellowjackets to earn a NCAA Division II West Region softball playoff invitation, it did draw the attention of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference coaches who have anointed  MSUB as the 2012 GNAC pre-season favorite.
 
Not by much of a margin, mind you.
 
In fact, the poll was a three-team horse race as MSUB edged two-time defending champion Central Washington by just two points and Western Washington by four.
 
The three teams split the seven first-place votes with MSUB earning three and Central Washington and Western Washington, which each qualified for the NCAA playoffs last spring, garnering two.
 
The Yellowjackets, who went 22-9 under Lisa Allen after she replaced Anthony Stone early in the season, return four all-stars.
 
Among the four are three of the GNAC's top seven returning hitters from a team that ended up with an overall record of 28-20 finishing third in the conference.
 
Outfielders Bobbie Lee and Meg Harasymczuk are back after earning first team honors.   Lee is the conference's top returning hitter  finishing third a year ago with a .432 average. 
 
Harasymczuk, who was the GNAC Newcomer-of-the-Year, finished 11^th (7^th among returning players) with a .353 average.  She hit 14 home runs and 39 RBI.
 
Four other returning GNAC players were first team selections.  Back for Central Washington is designated player Carrina Wagner, who hit .329 and had the best run-producing  numbers among returning players with 15 home runs and 41 RBI.
 
Simon Fraser first baseman Kelsey Haberl was also a first team choice after hitting .358 and leading the Clan to the NAIA national tournament.  She ranked ninth in hitting in the GNAC.
 
Saint Martin's returns two first-team all-stars in pitcher-first baseman Joslyn Eugenio and second baseman Lacey McGladrey, who was the GNAC Freshman-of-the-Year.
 
Eugenio ranked fifth in the GNAC with a  .391 average and also posted a 5-14 record in the circle, while McGladrey ranked eighth with a .358 average.
 
Western Washington doesn't return any first-teamers, but does have a pair of second-teamers in catcher Jackie Rothenberger, who hit .344 to rank 13th, and outfielder Meghan Carrillo, who batted .315.
 
The only other returning players who ranked in the Top 15 in hitting were Central Washington second baseman Molly Coppinger and MSUB third baseman Nicole Colpron.
 
Both players were second team all-stars after finishing seventh (.360) and 10^th (.355), respectively, in the conference batting race.
 
Six of last year's Top 10 hitters are back,  but only five returning pitchers had ERAs below 4.00 and just two reached double-digit wins.
 
Cara Lukawesky of Simon Fraser, which is picked to finish fourth in the GNAC race, is the top returner in both ERA (3.26) and wins (16-9).
 
MSUB has two pitchers in that category (ERAs below 4.00).  Kasie Conder  ranked fifth (3.60) and Amanda Todd was eighth (3.85).
 
Jenna DeRosier of Western Washington, who made seven starts and eight relief appearances, finished sixth (3.63), while  Chelsey Anderson, who led Northwest Nazarene to its best-ever conference record, ranked ninth with a 3.89 ERA as the Crusaders, who are projected to finish fifth this year, earned a fourth-place finish.
 
The Yellowjackets' Annaleisha Parsley, who had a 4.21 ERA, is the only double-digit winner returning in addition to Lukawesky.  Parsley had  a 10-9 record.
 
Western Oregon, which has a conference-low four returning starters and came in sixth in the coaches' poll ahead of Saint Martin's, also returns a quality pitcher in  Brittany Reeves.
 
Reeves had a 7-3 record and a 2.60 ERA in 2010, before redshirting last season.
 
Central Washington opens defense of its conference title Feb. 17 when it begins a four-game series at Northwest Nazarene.  Those will be the first of 36 conference games for both teams.
 
The GNAC non-conference schedule begins Friday as the Crusaders debut with a four-game series at UC San Diego.  Saint Martin's is also scheduled to open its season hosting British Columbia Saturday
 
Western Washington, meanwhile, will compete in the Cal State Stanislaus Best of the West Invitational in Turlock, Calif. Saturday and Sunday.
 
The remainder of the GNAC schools will make their debut the following Friday in Las Vegas in the MSUB Stinger Invitational.  
 
Joining MSUB in the tournament from the GNAC will be Central Washington, Simon Fraser, Western Oregon and Western Washington. 

TEAM PROFILES

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
Head Coach: Lisa Allen,  Oregon State (22-9, 1 year)
Assistants:  Rebekah (Tsatsa) Gasner, Steph Gosselin, Leslie Davis
2011 Record: 28-20
Conference:  23-13, 3rd
Returning Letter Winners:  10
Returning Starters (5 position, 2 pitcher): Bobbie Lee (OF, 5-7, Sr.,.432, 4 hr, 15 rbi, 1st team GNAC); Meg Harasymczuk (OF, 5-9, Sr., .353, 14 rbi, 39 rbi, 1st team GNAC); Nicole Colpron (3B, 5-7, Sr., .355, 6 hr, 24 rbi, 2nd team GNAC); Amanda Todd (P, 5-5, So., 9-6, 3.85 ERA, 2nd team GNAC); Jenna VanEykeren (2B, 5-6, Sr., .282, 4 hr, 18 rbi); Becca Frank (SS, 5-2, Jr., .222, 3 hr, 20 rbi); Annaleisha Parsley (P, 5-8, Sr., 10-9, 4.21 ERA)
Other Key Returnees (40 or more at bats, 20 or more IP):  Rose Harrington (OF, 5-3, Jr., .279, 1 hr, 4 rbi); Kasie Conder (P, 5-8, Sr., 9-5, 3 saves, 3.60 ERA).

OUTLOOK

The Yellowjackets won the 2009 GNAC title before slipping to fourth and third the past two seasons, but appear  primed to make a run at the title this spring with four all-stars among seven returning starters.
 
Outfielders Bobbie Lee (5-7, Sr., Great Falls, MT – Russell) and Meg Harasymczuk (5-9, Sr., Spring Creek, NV – Southwestern Oregon) were first team selections while third baseman Nicole Colpron (5-7, Sr., Vancouver, WA – Mt. Hood CC) and  pitcher Amanda Todd (5-5, So., Billings, MT - Skyview)  who posted a 9-6 record,  earned second team honors.
 
Lee hit four home runs and drove in 15 runs hitting at a .432 clip, while Harasymczuk (.353, 14 HR, 39 RBI) was the leading home run hitter on a team that slammed a school-record 63.
 
That would have been a conference record as well but Central Washington blasted 73.
 
Colpron went deep six times and drove in 24 runs while hitting .355.  Meanwhile Todd carved out a 3.85 ERA.
 
She is one-third of a veteran pitching staff that also includes Kasie Conder  (5-8, Jr., Hamilton, MT – Corvallis, 9-5, 3.60) and Annaleisha Parsley (5-8, Sr., Lacey, WA – Southwestern Oregon, 10-9, 4.21) and accounted for every inning in the circle.
 
Other returning starters are second baseman Jenna VanEykeren (5-6, Sr., Las Vegas, NV - Centennial), who batted .282 and shortstop Becca Frank (5-2, Jr., Great Falls, MT – Russell), who batted .220.
 
Rose Harrington (5-3, Jr., Missoula, MT) also saw significant playing time after transferring from Seattle University hitting .279 in 43 official at bats.  The only other letter winner back is infielder Samantha Church (5-9, So., Columbus, MT), who was used in 39 games, but had just nine at bats.
 
The top newcomer may be catcher Nicole Wilkerson (5-6, Jr., Lincoln, CA), who hit .355 and had three home runs and 27 RBI to earn first team NWAACC honors at Southwestern Oregon CC.
 
The is the same school that produced Harasymczuk and Parsley.   Another JC transfer is infielder Tanya Eckles (5-10, Jr., Peoria, AZ), who batted .333 in 42 at bats at Mesa CC.
CENTRAL WASHINGTON WILDCATS
Head Coach:  Mallory Holtman, Central Washington '08 (34-16, 1 year)
Assistants:  Gary Frederick, Mike Garoutte, Kelli Spaulding
2011 Record: 34-16
Conference: 27-8, 1st
Returning Letter Winners:    12
Returning Starters (6 position, 1 pitcher):  Carrina Wagner (DP-IF, 5-7, Sr., .329, 15 hr, 41 rbi, 1st team GNAC); Molly Coppinger (2B, 5-2, Sr., .360, 5 hr, 24 rbi, 2nd team GNAC); Liz Jusko (1B, 5-8, Sr., .336, 5 hr, 30 rbi, HM GNAC); Elena Carter (C, 5-9, Jr., .295, 5 hr, 23 rbi, HM GNAC); Bre Thomas (OF, 5-3, Sr., .246, 1 hr, 10 rbi); Jennifer Schwartz (OF, 5-5, Sr., .205, 1 hr, 7 rbi); Maria Gau (P, 5-7, So., 8-5, 4.63 ERA)
Other Key Returnees (40 or more at bats, 20 or more IP):  Kristina Sherriff (OF-SS, 5-7, Sr., .217, 0 hr, 11 rbi);  Natasha Wood (1B, 5-11, Sr., .220, 0 hr, 6 rbi); Lindy Baxter (P, 5-9, Sr., 1-0, 4.48 ERA)

OUTLOOK

The Wildcats could have an offensive drop off after graduating first team All-Americans Samantha Petrich and Kelsey Haupert, who ranked 1-2 in the GNAC and along with MSUB's Lee were the GNAC's only .400 hitters.
 
Petrich hit .455 and had 13 home runs and 41 RBI, while Haupert batted .451 and was the national leader in home runs with 21 and the GNAC RBI leader with 53.
 
Central Washington, which led the GNAC with a .320 team batting average and the nation with 73 home runs, does return four all-stars to match MSUB for the most in that category.
 
Heading up that group is third baseman Carrina Wagner (5-7, Sr., Tacoma, WA – Spanaway Lake), who was used mostly as the designated player last year when she batted .329 and had 15 home runs and 41 RBI.
 
Wagner was a first team pick, while second baseman Molly Coppinger (5-2, Sr., Spanaway Lake, WA) earned second team honors after hitting .360.
 
Honorable mention picks were first baseman Liz Jusko (5-8, Sr., Snohomish, WA – Everett CC), who hit .335, and catcher Elena Carter (5-9, Jr., Olympia, WA – Black Hills), who batted .295. 
 
Coppinger, Jusko and Carter all slammed five home runs and combined for 77 RBI led by Jusko with 30.
 
Second-year coach Mallory Holtman also returns outfielders Bre Thomas (5-3, Sr., Vancouver, WA – Columbia River – Mt. Hood) and Jen Schwartz (5-5, Sr., Spokane, WA – Shadle Park) from last year's starting lineup and No. 2 pitcher Maria Gau (5-7, So., Woodinville, WA).
 
Thomas batted .246 and Schwartz hit .205.  Gau, meanwhile,  had a 8-5 record and a 4.63 ERA.
 
While Gau is back, CWU did  lose ace Lauren Hadenfeld, who had a 24-11 record and a 2.22 ERA. Also returning in the circle is Lindy Baxter (5-9, Sr., Lacey, WA – River Ridge), who was 1-0 and had a 4.48 ERA in 20 1/3 innings. 
 
Freshman   Heidy Wells (5-6, Tacoma, WA – Stadium) and  JC transfer Kimberly Kocik (5-6, Jr., Mukilteo, WA – Kamiak) are also among the new pitchers on CWU's roster.  Both could also see duty in the infield.
 
Wells was the Most Valuable Pitcher in the Narrows League last season. 
 
Kocik was a second team NWAACC all-star two years ago at Shoreline when she had a 16-3 record and a 3.56 ERA and also hit .393.  Last year she was 8-5 with a 3.04 ERA and hit .246.
 
Two other newcomers – catcher Cassi Ellis (5-1, Jr., East Wenatchee, WA – Eastmont) and outfielder Shelby Yasuda (5-2, Woodinville, WA) – could also play significant roles in their rookie season.
 
Ellis was a first team NWAACC all-star at Wenatchee Valley, hitting .410.  She had five home runs and 34 RBI.  With Ellis available, Carter will likely take over the DP duties.
 
Yasuda will add speed and defensive range to the CWU outfield after helping lead Woodinville to a 25-1 record last year.
 
Other players who could play significant roles this spring include infielders Kyleen Sweepe (5-4, Jr., North Bend, WA – Mount Si) and Kristina Sherriff (5-7, Sr., Marysville, WA – Pilchuck & Everett CC).
 
Sherriff started 23 games last year and batted .217, while Sweepe made 37 appearances, but had just 20 at bats. 
 
Other letter winners available include Natasha Wood (5-11, Sr., Graham, WA – Graham-Kapowsin) and Jordan Zurfluh (5-7, So., Adna, WA) who  hit .220 and .188 in 41 and 16 official at bats, respectively.
WESTERN WASHINGTON VIKINGS 
Head Coach:  Amy Suiter (36-16, 1 year; First year; Overall, 51-58, 2 year)
Assistants: Albert Rivera, Erica Addison, Dave Hanson
2011 Record: 36-16
Conference: 24-11, 2nd
Returning Letter Winners: 13
Returning Starters (6 position): Jackie Rothenberger (C, 5-7, Jr., .344, 4 hr, 35 rbi, 2nd team GNAC); Meghan Carrillo (OF, 5-3, So., .315, 1 hr, 19 rbi, 2nd team GNAC); Krista Bickar (1B-DP, 6-0, Sr., .297, 3 hr, 24 rbi); Jessica Carey (OF, 5-7, Sr., .271, 2 hr,  18 rbi); Rachelle Berry (1B, 5-7, Jr., .263, 0 hr, 13 rbi); Stephanie Fox (2B, 5-4, Sr., .250, 0 hr, 18 rbi)
Other Key Returnees (40 or more at bats, 20 or more IP):     Jordan Emmil (3B, 5-7, Sr., .289, 0 hr, 11. rbi); Erika Hendron (P, 5-10, Jr., 2-1, 5.40 ERA).

OUTLOOK

Last year under rookie coach Amy Suiter Western Washington set a school-record with 36 victories and earned its first NCAA Division II post-season bid in four seasons.
 
Thirteen players return from that squad.  They'll be joined by a large and talented recruiting class.
 
Leading the returnees are four seniors, all of whom have seen extensive playing time throughout their careers – first baseman/designated player Krista Bickar (6-0, Hoquiam, WA), outfielder Jessica Carey (5-7, Everett, WA), second baseman/pitcher Stephanie Fox (5-4, Sammamish, WA - Eastlake) and third baseman Jordan Emmil (5-7, Colville, WA).
               
Bickar, a two-time honorable mention all-GNAC selection, has been a threat at the heart of the batting order for three seasons, hitting 12 career home runs, which is tied for second in school history.
 
She hit .297 with three home runs and 24 runs batted in last season, and was also errorless in 74 attempts in the field.
 
Carey, a second-team all-GNAC pick in 2010,  returns in center field after hitting .271 with two home runs and 18 RBI in 2011.  She also had team-highs of 11 sacrifices and four sacrifice flies.
 
Fox has been the regular second baseman the past three years, hitting .250 in 2011. Twice an honorable mention all-GNAC pick, her role will expand this season, as she'll also see time at shortstop and be part of the pitching staff. 
 
Emmil will again see time at third base after being platooned there last season.  She hit .289 in 2011.
                 
Three other regulars return, led by catcher Jackie Rothenberger (Jr., 5-7, Coquitlam, BC) a second-team all-GNAC pick last year.
 
Rothenberger had a banner season in 2011, hitting .344 with four home runs and 35 RBI, all team-bests, as was her .500 slugging percentage.
 
Megan Carrillo (5-3, So., Prunedale/North Monterey County) returns in right field.  She hit .315 as a freshman, earning second-team all-GNAC honors, and was hit by pitches a team-high seven times.
 
Rachelle Berry (5-7, Jr., Alger, WA - Burlington-Edison) hit .263 last year and saw the majority of time at first base as Bickar often filled the designated player role.
 
The other returnees in the field are Kaleigh Keating (5-4, So., Salinas, CA - Notre Dame Salinas), who was primarily a pinch-runner last year but figures to slot in at shortstop this year;  middle infielder Melissa Becker (5-3, Jr., Puyallup, WA - Graham-Kapowsin), who hit .294 in 21 games, and Amanda Flores (5-8, So., Ferndale, WA), who saw action in six contests in 2011.
 
There's also experience returning in the circle, with three of Western's top four pitchers from a year ago back - Jenna DeRosier (5-7, So., Kelso, WA), Erika Hendron (5-10, Jr., Redmond, WA) and Devyn Baker (5-3, So., Montesano, WA). 
 
DeRosier saw the most action last year, going 5-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 15 appearances, and completing five of her seven starts.
 
Fox will also see time in the circle, as will freshman Janelle Kasch (5-8, Snohomish, WA).  Kasch is one of five freshmen slated to see action. 
 
Left fielder Tayler Blumenfeld (5-6, Lake Stevens, WA) and third baseman Cheyenne Best (5-6, Sedro-Woolley, WA) figure to play extensively right away.
 
Allie Crowe (5-7, Auburn, WA - Thomas Jefferson) will also see time in the outfield, and Matti Tetzlaff (5-3, Mill Creek, WA - Jackson) provides depth at catcher, shortstop and the outfield.
 
Completing the active roster are two transfers from Bellevue CC.
 
Second baseman Kristen Allen (5-7, Jr., Arlington, WA) hit .575 with nine home runs and 45 RBI there  last year after spending her freshman season at NCAA Division I Purdue.
 
Catcher Nicole Rogers (5-7, Jr., Monroe, WA) hit .351 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI for the JC.
SIMON FRASER CLAN
Head Coach: Mike Renney, Simon Fraser '94 (494-187, 17 years)
Assistants: Bryan Sask, Haley Cicchetti
2011 Record: 18-25
Conference:  12-19, 5th
Returning Letter Winners: 11
Returning Starters (8 position, 2 pitchers): Kelsey Haberl (1B,  5-7, Sr., .358, 6 hr, 36 rbi, 1st team GNAC); Leah Riske (SS, 5-8, Sr., .282, 12 hr, 30 rbi, 2nd team GNAC); Cara Lukawesky (P, 5-10, Jr., 16-9, 3.26 ERA, 2nd team GNAC); Carly LePoutre (3B, 5-4, Jr., .285, 0 hr, 10 rbi); Brittany Ribeiro (C, 5-7, Sr., .235, 1 hr, 15 rbi); Lauren Mew (2B, 5-6, Jr., .233, 1 hr, 12 rbi); Trisha Bouchard (OF-DP, 5-6, Jr., .225, 0 hr, 3 rbi); Rosie Murphy (OF, 5-5, Jr., .200, 0 hr, 5 rbi); Megan Durrant (OF, 5-3, Sr., .186, 3 hr, 13 rbi); Kelsey Hawkins (P, 5-8, So., 1-11, 4.71 ERA)
Other Key Returnees (40 or more at bats, 20 or more IP):   Sammie Olexa (3B-UT,5-4, So., .221, 1 hr, 12 rbi)

OUTLOOK

With the exception of outfielder Brittany Mayer who ranked second on the team in average (.343), home runs (7) and RBI  (32),  18^th-year head coach Mike Renney returns his team virtually intact from last year.
Renney, who needs six more wins to reach 500, has the most starters of any team in the GNAC with eight position players and his top two pitchers available.
In the circle, Cara Lukawesky (5-10, Jr., Coquitlam, BC – Port Moody) returns after posting a 16-9 record and a 3.26 ERA in her sophomore season to earn second team GNAC honors.
Kelsey Hawkins (5-8, So., Victoria, BC – Oak Bay), who started 17 games, was 1-11 with a 4.71 ERA.
Lukawesky is one of three returning all-stars for Simon Fraser along with first baseman Kelsey Haberl (5-7, Sr., Burnaby, BC – Burnaby Mountain) and shortstop Leah Riske (5-8, Sr., Cloverdale, BC – Lord Tweedsmuir).
Haberl hit six home runs and drove in 36 runs to go along with her .358 average to win first team GNAC honors. 
Riske was one of nine players in the conference with double-digit home runs, slamming 12.  She also hit .282 and drove in 30 runs and was a second team pick.
Other returning starters include catcher Brittany Ribeiro (5-7, Sr., Burnaby, BC – St. Thomas More), second baseman Lauren Mew (5-6, Jr., Vancouver, BC – Killarney), third baseman Carly LePoutre (5-4, Jr., Pickering, ON – St. Mary's) and outfielders Trisha Bouchard (5-6, Jr., Montreal, QC – St. Thomas), Rosie Murphy (5-5, Jr., Pickering, ON – Markville) and Megan Durrant (5-3, Sr., Richmond, BC – Hugh McRoberts).
Ribeiro hit .235 last season.  LePoutre and Mew   had .285 and .233 batting averages, while Bouchard, Murphy and Durrant hit for .225, .200 and .186 averages.
The only other returning player is third baseman Sammie Olexa  (5-4, So., Surrey, BC – Seaquam) who made 21 starts and hit .221 in 68 official at bats.
Four freshmen and a JC pitcher from Texas are among the newcomers for the Clan.
Lauren Kolanko (5-7, Jr., North Vancouver, BC – Argyle) had a 3-8 record and a 4.85 ERA last season at Odessa, Tex.
The freshmen include pitcher Carling Hare (5-11, Delta, BC), catcher Kaitlyn Cameron (5-10, Langley, BC – Walnut Grove), first base/outfielder Olivia Hornstein (5-6, White Rock, BC – Earl Marriott) and middle infielder Danielle Raison (5-7, Maple Ridge, BC – Garibaldi). 
NORTHWEST NAZARENE CRUSADERS
Head Coach: Julie Coert, Northwestern Louisiana State '95 (95-297, 8 years)
Assistants: Kate Seward
2011 Record: 17-30
Conference:  16-19, 4th
Returning Letter Winners:  8
Returning Starters (6 position, 1 pitcher): Elizabeth Beaty (C-DP, 5-7, Sr., .306, 12 hr, 24 rbi, 2nd team GNAC); Kristin Refsland (OF, 5-7, Sr., .305, 3, hr, 18 rbi, 2nd team GNAC); Arielle Chao (C-2B, 5-6, Sr., .299, 6 hr, 17 rbi, HM GNAC); Cara Duckworth (2B-3B, 5-4, Sr., .288, 2 hr, 12 rbi); Chelsea Allsbrook (3B, 5-7, Sr., .265, 2 hr, 20 rbi); Emily Renfrow (OF, 5-7, Sr., .219, 0 hr, 2 rbi); Chelsey Anderson (P, 5-7, Sr., 8-11, 3.89 ERA)
Other Key Returnees (40 or more at bats, 20 or more IP):  None.

OUTLOOK

Northwest Nazarene  had never won more than nine conference games or finished higher than fifth in the GNAC softball race.
 
But last season the Crusaders finished fourth with a 16-19 conference record.  They return their top four hitters, including three all-stars from that club.
 
Among seven returning starters are second team all-stars Elizabeth Beaty (5-7, Sr., Salem, OR – Salem Academy) and Kristin Refsland (5-7, Sr., Beaverton, OR – Century) and honorable mention pick Arielle Chao (5-6, Sr., Victorville, CA – Silverado).
 
Beaty, who split time at catcher with Chao and also was the team's designated player, led the Crusaders in hitting (.306) and home runs (12) and ranked second in RBI (24).
 
Refsland, an outfielder, also posted a .300 average, finishing at .305.  She also hit three home runs and drove in 18 runs.
 
Chao, who played second base as well as catching, hit .299 and had six home runs and 17 RBI.
 
Cara Duckworth (5-4, Sr., Melba, ID), who started 42 games at five different positions including 23 at second base and 12 at third, hit .288.
 
Also back from last year's starting lineup is third baseman Chelsea Allsbrook (5-7, Sr., Moses Lake, WA), outfielder Emily Renfrow (5-7, Sr., Nampa, ID) and pitcher Chelsey Anderson (5-7, Sr., Porterville, CA – Monache).
 
Allsbrook batted .265 and led the team in walks with 24.  She also ranked fourth in RBI with 20.  Renfrow hit .219, while Anderson posted an 8-11 record to go along with a 3.89 ERA.
 
Catcher Michelle Crumbaker (5-6, Jr., Vancouver, WA – Evergreen), who made five starts and had 22 at bats, is the only other returning player from the 2011 squad.
 
Among eight new players is Wenatchee Valley transfer Baylee Jolliffe (5-4, Jr., Missoula, MT) and Alex Lindbloom (5-5, So., Hailey, ID), who played last season at Finlandia (Mich.), a NCAA Division III school.
 
Jolliffe was a second team NWAACC all-star outfielder at WVC in 2010 where she hit .402 and drove in 15 runs.  Last year she batted .262 and had 14 RBI.
 
Lindbloom, who is listed as a utility player on the NNU roster, batted .320 and drove in 25 runs at Finlandia.  She also drew 23 walks in 35 games ranking 23^rd nationally in walks per contest in NCAA Division III.
 
Six freshmen complete the Crusader roster.
WESTERN OREGON WOLVES
Head Coach: Pam Knox, Cal State Fullerton '80 (203-230, 9 years; Overall, 402-385, 17 years)
Assistants: Marie Stone, Jessica Hallmark
2011 Record:  13-33
Conference: 10-24, 6th 
Returning Letter Winners: 9
Returning Starters (4 position): Andrea Bailey (SS, 5-3, Jr., .333, 3 hr, 11 rbi, 2nd team GNAC); Ashley Worthey (C-2B, 5-7, So., .285, 2 hr, 21 rbi, HM GNAC); Kendra George (OF, 5-8, Sr., .208, 2 hr, 9 rbi); Ashlie Gardner (2B-3B-OF, 5-7, So., .190, 0 hr, 7 rbi)
Other Key Returnees (40 or more at bats, 20 or more IP):  Ali Parkerson (UT, 5-6, So., .119, 0 hr, 0 rbi); Danyelle Hutchinson (IF, 5-11, Sr., .093, 0 hr, 3 rbi); Brittany Reeves (P, 5-8, So., 7-3, 2.60 ERA in 2010)

OUTLOOK

Shortstop Andrea Bailey (5-3, Jr., Gresham, OR – Barlow) and catcher/second baseman Ashley Worthey (5-7, So., Aloha, OR – Century) are the lone all-stars among a conference-low four returning starters for the Wolves.
 
Bailey earned second team honors last season batting .333 and leading WOU in hits (50), doubles (10) and stolen bases (13).  She led the GNAC in the latter category.
 
Worthey, who was an honorable mention pick, batted .285 and drove in 21 runs.  She also stole seven bases as WOU swiped a league-high 50.
 
Also returning from last year's starting lineup is outfielder Kendra George (5-8, Sr., Roseburg, OR) and Ashlie Gardner (5-7, So., Salem, OR – South Salem), who split her time between the middle infield and outfield.
 
George batted .208 and stole seven bases, while Gardner hit .190.
 
Also back are four other players from last year's team – outfielders Danielle Harcourt (5-4, So., St. Helens, OR) and Ashley Cashin (5-11, So., Phoenix, AZ – Pinnacle), utility player Ali Parkerson (5-6, So., Lakenheath Air Force Base, England) and infielder Danyelle Hutchinson (5-11, Sr., Kennewick, WA – Bothell)  - and one – pitcher Brittany Reeves (5-8, So., White City, OR – Crater) – from the Wolves' 2010 club. 
 
Reeves led WOU that season with a 2.60 ERA and was one of four pitchers to post seven victories.
 
Harcourt hit .278 getting five hits in 18 at bats, while Parkerson, Cashin and Hutchinson batted .119, .105 and .093 combining for 11 hits in 104 at bats.
 
Five JC transfers and two freshmen should give the Wolves a boost this spring.
 
Infielder Lexi Orteza (5-2, Jr., Bremerton, WA) and pitcher Hannah Pomeroy (5-6, Jr., Mossyrock, WA) were both NWAACC first team all-conference selections.
Orteza batted .436 and drove in 13 runs for Olympic College, while Pomeroy had a 10-6 record and a 4.16 ERA at Lower Columbia.
 
Infielder Desiree Villegas (5-3, Jr., Pico Rivera, CA – El Rancho) batted .361 and plated 39 runs at Long Beach CC (Calif.).
 
Pitcher Eryka Brill (6-1, So., Dallas, OR) had a 5-2 record and 4.59 ERA at Phoenix JC (Ariz.) and pitcher Myranda Sawyer (5-11, Jr., Bakersfield, CA – Highland) was  9-4 with a 2.48 ERA two seasons ago at Mt. Hood.
 
The freshmen are pitcher/infielder Jourdan Williams (5-8) from McMinnville and outfielder Amanda Evola (5-7) from Beaverton.
 
Williams was a four-time all-state selection at McMinnville High School, while Evola was an All-Metro pick at Westview High School.
SAINT MARTIN'S SAINTS
Head Coach: Rick Noren, Western Washington '87 (9-30, 1 year; Overall, 411-175, 15 years)
Assistants: Leanne Noren, Tana Lingl, Kelsey Haupert
2011 Record: 9-30
Conference:  8-26, 7th
Returning Letter Winners: 9
Returning Starters (6 position, 1 position/pitcher): Joslyn Eugenio (P-1B, 5-3. Jr., .391, 4 hr, 23 rbi, 5-14, 4.27 ERA, 1st team GNAC); Lacey McGladrey (2B, 5-5, Sr., .358, 1 hr, 12 rbi, 1st team GNAC); Megan Antonovich (OF, 5-6, Sr., .244, 0 hr, 13 rbi); Morgan Klemm (3B, 5-6, Sr., .239, 2 hr, 13 rbi); Kelsie McGladrey (C-DP, 5-5, Sr., .238, 3 hr, 13 rbi); Madison Davis (OF, 5-5, Jr., .143, 2 hr, 8 rbi); Aubree Pocklington (C, 5-9, Jr., .207, 0 hr, 6 rbi
Other Key Returnees (40 or more at bats, 20 or more IP):  Tiffany Griffiths (UT, 5-2, Sr., .188, 0 hr, 5 rbi)

OUTLOOK

The Saints along with Montana State Billings are the only teams in the GNAC returning two first team GNAC all-conference players.
 
Among seven returning starters for second-year coach Rick Noren are pitcher/first baseman Joslyn Eugenio (5-3, Jr., Kapolei, HI – Sacred Hearts) and 2011 GNAC Freshman of the Year Lacey McGladrey (5-4, So., Bothell, WA).
 
Eugenio has had two outstanding seasons to begin her career and ranks sixth in GNAC history with a career batting average of .391.  Last year she hit .391 after batting .392 in 2010.
 
In addition to leading the Saints in hitting, she was the team leader in total hits (52), doubles (10) and RBI (23) and tied for the lead in home runs with 4.
 
In the circle, she posted a 5-14 record and had a 4.27 earned run average.
 
McGladrey batted .358 in earning first team GNAC honors in her freshman season.  Her on-base average of .465 ranked fifth in the GNAC.  That mark was boosted by a team-best 22 walks.
 
Catcher Aubree Pocklington (5-9, Jr., Montesano, WA), catcher-designated player Kelsie McGladrey (5-5, Sr., Bothell, WA), third baseman Morgan Klemm (5-6, Sr., Everett, WA – Cascade) and outfielders Megan Antonovich (5-6, Sr., Kennewick, WA – Pasco) and Madison Davis (5-5, Jr., Bothell, WA) also started a majority of SMU's games.
 
Pocklington hit .207 and drew 13 walks for the Saints, while Kelsie McGladrey hit .238 and had three home runs and 13 RBI.
 
Klemm hit for a .239 average and had 15 walks and a team-best 10 stolen bases.  Antonovich, one of two players along with Eugenio to start all 39 Saint games, batted .244 and drove in 13 runs.  She swiped seven bases.  Davis batted .143
 
Also back are utility player Tiffany Griffiths (5-2, Sr., Lynnwood, WA – Meadowdale), who started 17 games and hit .188 and outfielder Caitlin Fewins (5-5, Sr.,  Puyallup, WA – Bellarmine Prep), who played in 13 games but didn't have an at bat.

Two JC all-stars and a Division I transfer from Grambling are among the newcomers for Noren.
 
Pitcher Rachel Todd (5-8, Jr., Elma, WA) was a first team NWAACC all-star at South Puget Sound after compiling a 14-8 record and a 2.65 ERA.
 
Infielder Emily Squiers (5-8, Jr., Redmond, WA) earned second team NWAACC honors at Bellevue CC where she hit .365 and had three home runs and 27 RBI.
 
Pitcher/infielder Chelsea Felton (5-6, So., Tumwater, WA) played her freshman season at Grambling, batting .357 (10 of 28).  In the circle she had a 2-5 record and a 9.76 ERA.
 
Newcomers also include two transfers from Columbia Basin – infielder Sara Bakos and pitcher/outfielder Taylor Bakos – along with five freshmen.
 
Sara Bakos (5-4, Jr., Kennewick, WA) batted .313 and drove in  nine runs, while Taylor Bakos (5-6, Jr., Kennewick, WA) batted .314 and had six home runs and 26 RBI.
 
Among the freshmen are outfielder Taviah Jenkins (5-8, Castle Rock, WA) who redshirted at George Fox University.