REDDING, Calif. - The Simpson University softball team opens up its 2024 season against Eastern Oregon on February 3rd in a round-robin tournament that includes defending National Champions Southern Oregon and soon-to-be D2 school William Jessup.
The Red Hawks face a tough preseason schedule that includes nationally ranked opponents, #1 Oregon Tech, #2 Southern Oregon, #10 Midlands, #13 College of Idaho, and #24 Eastern Oregon.
Simpson opens up conference play against the Fire Birds on March 1st then hits the road for a week to participate in the Tuscon Invitational from March 11 through the 13th.
Conference play continues in Arizona when they take on (RV) Embry-Riddle March 15-16 to close out the Arizona trip.
Followed by a road trip the following week to SoCal to take on the Pioneers in Lancaster, CA.
The Red Hawks return home for the next two weeks as they take on La Sierra March 28th-29th and Westcliff April 5th and 6th.
Simpson's senior celebrations are scheduled to be held against Westcliff on April 6th before heading back down to Arizona to take on Ben U on April 13th-14th. On the way down the Red Hawks play a non-conference doubleheader against #19 Hope International in Fullerton, CA.
To conclude its 2024 regular season schedule the Red Hawks return home to play Park-Gilbert University on April 8th-9th.
The Red Hawks will look to make its 15th consecutive year playoff appearance under head coach
Wayne Stower. Coach Stower is also in striking distance of his 500th career win.
Fifth-year assistant coach Tayler Shaw is looking forward to the potential that this year's team brings.
"We are looking forward to seeing all of the hard work in the fall pay off this spring."
Long time assistant coach
Tom Ackernecht looks forward to the milestone in sight and the new dynamics of this years team.
"I am looking forward to the young new dynamics this years team brings and to a great season with this years strong recruiting class. Also, I am excited for this years pitching staff. Also, the excitement of being in striking distance of the programs 500th career win."
Assistant coach Leo Estes is excited for this years teams success on the field.
"The girls have been working really hard and I think the future looks really bright with the new freshmen class combined with the returning class. I am looking forward to a winning year and a National Championship appearance."
The Red Hawks will look to grow from last year's 4th-place finish in the Cal Pac Tournament as they brought in 12 new faces.
This includes eight freshmen highlighted by first-team all-state pitcher
Jacquelyn Lujan and four junior transfer players highlighted by Rawlings Gold Glove award winner (CF)
Kayley Vaillette.
Along with adding talented arms, Simpson ace
Kylee Potes will be returning as she ranked third in the conference last year with 119 strikeouts.
Simpson will be returning 2023 All-Conference Honorable Mention
Nicolena Holen who slashed the second-highest batting average .365 to go along with a team-high 14 stolen bases.
2022 1st All-Conference outfielder
Amy LeGrande looks to have a bounce-back year after having an injury-plagued campaign.
2021 1st team All-Conference infielder
Cailey Rizzardo will look to revert to her All-Conference form as she hit her first career home run last year.
Starting second baseman
Marissa Ramirez will look to have another solid year at the plate where she slashed a .365 BA in conference play.
Kassandra Soria, last year's everyday starter at the hot corner will look to be the power bat in the middle of the Red Hawks lineup as she had the third-highest SLG% .659 on the team.
The Red Hawks will look to be a force to be reckoned with as they look to continue the success of the Simpson University softball program.
