Wildcats start softball conference play

After nearly a month layoff, the Western Nevada College softball team will resume its season by traveling to College of Southern Idaho for a series today and Friday that marks the opening of the Scenic West Athletic Conference schedule.

The Wildcats haven’t played a game since participating in preseason tournaments in late January and early February.

However, WNC coach Leah Wentworth believes a competitive intra-squad series last weekend has her team ready for CSI.

“It was a great opportunity for them to get back into live situations and it definitely proved to us how much depth we have. It was a close series that came down to the seventh inning of the third game,” Wentworth said.

Wentworth said the team spent part of the month practicing indoors, but allocated the past week and a half to working outside at Edmonds Sports Complex.

“Being outside, we’ve been able to iron out some stuff, and I know the girls are anxious to get back at it,” Wentworth said. “It’s a matter of getting them comfortable on the field again and giving them a lot of reps, and working on some situational stuff.”

In their preseason tournaments in Henderson, and Scottsdale, Ariz., the Wildcats tested National Junior College Association Division II’s top-ranked team, Phoenix, as well as Eastern Arizona, Division I’s second-rated club.

CSI, ranked 18th in the NJCAA’s preseason poll, brings a 7-6 record into the series with WNC. The Golden Eagles have been idle since Feb. 20 but were scheduled to play Treasure Valley Community College on Tuesday. The Wildcats (5-6) will follow up their trip to Twin Falls, Idaho, with a four-game road series against fifth-ranked Salt Lake.

“We’ve got a tough couple of weeks ahead of us,” Wentworth said. “My girls are really hungry to get out there and we’re confident in their ability of what they can do as a team. They’re looking to go out there and make an impression on how hard they have been working.”

WNC is scheduled to play its home opener against Colorado Northwestern on Friday, March 18 at Edmonds Sports Complex.