RENO, Nev. - The Nevada softball team is coming off its third postseason berth with aspirations of clinching the Mountain West Championship. The 2019 season saw the Pack finish in the championship round of the NISC tournament in Reno and is looking to bounce back and make an NCAA Regional in 2020, beginning with a trip to Puerto Vallarta for the 2020 College Challenge.
The tournament starts with a match up against BYU at 10:30 am before a contest against nationally-ranked OU at 4 pm. on Thursday, Feb. 6. On Friday, Long Beach State and Utah Valley are slated before a Saturday contest against Oregon. Activities wrap up on Saturday evening with a clinic at the field.
All games will be streamed via FloSoftball ($) with live stats available on nevadawolfpack.com.
OFFENSE / DEFENSE
Nevada posted a .310 batting average in 2018, almost a 25 point increase from 2017 but fell to a .281 in the 2019 season. Last season, the team shattered the school record in fielding percentage, committing the fewest errors in program history, .968 and just 49 errors. The Pack will look to continue its sharp defense while heating the bats up at the plate.
Returning to the lineup is the All-Mountain West player in Sadaria McAlister, joined by fellow senior Sierra Mello who was a consistent work horse last season. Combine with the power hitters in Kenzi Goins and Ashley Salausa and the Pack will look to improve on its seventh-place finish in Mountain West play from last season.
PITCHERS
The Pack returns just two pitchers to its staff this season. Returning to the circle is junior Julia Jensen who made 23 appearances with 12 starts and added 77 strikeouts to her career while sophomore Kendall Fritz, who had a standout rookie season looks to continue her dominate performance in the circle. The Frisco, Texas native made 30 appearances with 25 starts and pitched a healthy 154 innings with 124 strikeouts.
Nevada however, signed two pitchers and a utility player to join Jensen and Fritz on the staff. Jana Pope is a left-handed pitcher out of Chowchilla, Calif. that will bring a different look and pitch type to the staff while Blake Craft, a right-handed pitcher adds speed and velocity. Rounding out the group is Charli McLendon, who is listed as a utility, could potentially see innings at first base or in the circle.
The Pack has brought on seven new additions to the 2020 roster, all freshmen. Preslie Hewitt, Hailey Merlino, Charli Hawkins and Chelie Senini will join Pope, Craft and McLendon. Hewitt and Senini are both outfielders while Merlino and Hawkins are catchers, adding depth behind the plate.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sadaria McAlister - 2019 Mountain West 1st Team All-Conference player that led the team in batting average, hits and total bases. Has speed that catches people off guard.
Sierra Mello - 2018 Mountain West All-Conference honoree that helped lead the Pack to three postseason berths. Ranked first on the team in 2019 in runs and triples. A vocal leader on the field.
Kenzi Goins - 2018 Mountain West All-Conference player who has moved back to first base after playing in the outfield for the 2019 season. A leader on and off the field and a power hitter who led the team in home runs and slugging percentage.
Kendall Fritz - Sophomore pitcher who had a standout rookie season, pitching the highest number of innings on the staff at 154.0 with 124 strikeouts. Made 30 appearances in the circle as a freshman so is comfortable in the circle.
UP NEXT
Following the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, the Pack will travel back to Stockton, California for the annual Libby Matson Tournament hosted by Pacific. The games will start on Saturday, Feb. 15 and conclude on Feb. 16.
