ABOUT NEVADA
The Wolf Pack softball team is in the second part of the toughest schedules in school history and so far, so good. Through 39 games, Nevada is 26-13 with wins over three ranked opponents. That includes a historic 1-0 upset over then-No. 1 Arizona at the Kajikawa Classic hosted by Arizona State.
Nevada has been stellar in Western Athletic Conference play thus far, leading the conference with a 5-1 record. Fresno State is a game back, though the Bulldogs have the WAC lead in percentage points with a 2-0 record.
The Wolf Pack received votes in both national polls this week and is ranked No. 32 in each.
The Wolf Pack is coming off a solid performance last week in which it split a non-conference doubleheader at UTEP and then took two-of-three at WAC foe New Mexico State. Senior outfielder Vanessa Briones batted. 500 on the road trip while sophomore pitcher Katie Holverson picked up two wins in the circle.
Nevada returned the bulk of last year’s team that went 28-31 overall and came within a game of making it to its second-straight NCAA Tournament. Nevada brought back 15 letterwinners, all eight starters and its top two pitchers from last year’s team. Senior pitcher Jordan McPherson was named the Preseason Pitcher of the Year in the Western Athletic Conference this season. She was joined on the All-WAC Preseason Team by junior outfielder Brittany Puzey, who was an All-West Region selection in 2007. The Pack added four freshmen to the mix this year and the other newcomer is senior pitcher Richelle Villescas, a transfer from Temple. The Pack is coached by Michelle Gardner in her sixth year overall and at Nevada.
ABOUT THIS WEEKEND
The University of Nevada continues the 2008 campaign with a four-game road trip to California. The Wolf Pack will play a single game on Thursday at non-conference foe Pacific. Then the Pack will continue down Highway 99 for a three-game WAC series at Fresno State. The teams will play once on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.
For the complete weekly release, click on the PDF link above.
