TACOMA, Wash. – Picked to finish fifth in the Northwest Conference preseason coaches' poll, the Pacific Lutheran University softball team enters the 2022 campaign with an experienced group and a lot of attitude.
 
"This group is ready to prove to everybody what we see every single day, and that hasn't always translated on the field, in-game, against an opponent" said PLU Head Coach Traci Barrett.   "I've never felt energy that felt gritty and with a bit of a chip on our shoulder.  The best thing in the world was us getting picked fifth in the conference.  It gives us even more reason to have a chip on our shoulder.  We have to prove that we can finish.  This group is ready to do that.  We've never been at this place at this time in the season with where we're at in practice.  Our pitchers are embracing the excitement that the circle is sort of up for grabs for who wants to take it and run with it."
 
The only player not with the Lutes from the past year is pitcher Kennedy Robillard, who will be replaced by a combination of veterans Marley Dyer, Cassidy Conrad, Molly House and newcomers Kennedy Kila and Amaya Smith. House was the most effective last year, after posting a 3-3 record in 14 appearances.  She also threw the most innings at 41 2/3.  Dyer has major strikeout ability, but has had problems with control.  Conrad threw just eight innings last spring in six appearances.  Smith is in her first season out of Lake Tapps, while Kila joins the squad from Ewa Beach, Hawaii. 
 
The lineup should be one of the deepest in the entire Northwest Conference.  All-Region selection Erin McGrath will anchor the lineup and play the outfield after she blasted 11 home runs and 13 doubles last spring.  NWC Freshman of the Year Casey Wright and Second Team All-NWC selection Mari Foster also provide plenty of pop after hitting six home runs and eight doubles each in 2021.  Foster has plenty of speed as well, stealing 10 bags as a junior while patrolling left field.  Wright will be called on to be even better defensively behind the plate this spring as she will be working with an inexperienced staff in the circle. 
 


All three of the Lute captains will likely get time up the middle.  Rylie Wada and Cailey Collado made up a strong middle infield during the early part of last year, before Wada was sidelined due to injury for the second half of the season.  Kennadi Wuebel missed all of last year because of injury and could also see some time at third base.  Collado was a fixture at second last year and earned First Team All-League status after hitting .333.  Mikayla Chun will also see some time behind the plate after hitting three homers in 2021. 
 


At the corners, Honorable Mention All-NWC pick Chaella Galapon, will see plenty of action or could DP after hitting .342 with three home runs last spring.  Sarah Potwin had two homers and two doubles after seeing action in 19 games last year.  Nanea Kalama had 16 starts last spring  and Kila should see time when not in the circle.  Anna Foster hit .297 last year, earned Honorable Mention All-NWC accolades and should be in fixture in the lineup at either first or DP. 
 
A plethora of Lutes are vying for an outfield position with Shanelle Lum, Arabella Perez, Raynna Mekaru and Taylor Shigeta all competing for a spot .  Lum, Mekaru and Perez all started between 13 and 16 games a season ago.  Shigeta made just six starts in 2021, but did see time in 18 ball games. 
 
The Lutes hit the diamond for the first time on Friday when they travel to Texas for a three-day road trip.  PLU will play three doubleheaders in three days against Trinity University, Schreiner University and Southwestern University.  First pitch on Friday against the Tigers is at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.