This week the Warrior softball team will kick start the 2018 season in Las Vegas. Stan State will play five teams over a matter of three days at the annual MSUB Desert Stinger.

Team Records: 0-0
 
Friday
Warriors vs. Azusa Pacific (0-0), Las Vegas, Nev., 11:30 a.m. | [Live Stats]
Warriors vs. Western Washington (0-0), Las Vegas, Nev., 4:30 p.m. | [Live Stats]

Saturday
Warriors vs. Northwest Nazarene (0-0), Las Vegas, Nev., 2 p.m. | [Live Stats]
Warriors vs. Fort Lewis (0-0), Las Vegas, Nev., 7 p.m. | [Live Stats]
 
Sunday
Warriors vs. Minot State (0-0), Las Vegas, Nev., 11:30 a.m. | [Live Stats]
 
Series Notes: The Warriors are 1-1 against Azusa Pacific, facing them last at the 2017 Tournament of Champions, and coming out with a 4-1 win … Stan State is 17-8 against Western Washington, posting 3-0 and 10-4 victories against the Vikings last season in nonconference play … Northwest Nazarene earned the win in the sole competition between the Crusaders and the Warriors. They defeated Stan State 6-5 at the TOC in 2015 … Stan State will be facing Fort Lewis for the first time in program history this season in Las Vegas … The Warriors are 0-1 against Minot State, losing to them 6-9 at the Desert Stinger back in 2016.
 
About the Tournament: The annual MSUB Desert Stinger will be hosted in Las Vegas, Nev. for the ninth year by Montana State Billings. The tournament will feature 28 NCAA Division II softball teams from seven different conferences, and will take place from Friday February 2^nd to Sunday February 4^th … Last season the Warriors went 3-2 at the tournament with victories over Concordia-Portland, California Baptist, and the University of Mary ... More information about the Desert Stinger can be found on the tournament website, and tickets can be purchased online here, as well.
 
About Azusa Pacific: Last season Azusa Pacific ended the season with a 32-18 record, and went 23-9 in the Pacific West Conference to finish third. The Cougars were picked to finished third in the PacWest in the 2018 preseason coaches poll.
 
About Western Washington: In 2017 Western Washington finished with a 34-19 record, finishing second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a 19-9 record. The Vikings were predicted to again finish in second place of the GNAC in the preseason poll.
 
About Northwest Nazarene: Northwest Nazarene finished the 2017 season with a 23-27 overall record. They finished fifth in the GNAC with a 13-15 conference record, and were picked to finish third in the league in this year's preseason coaches poll.
 
About Fort Lewis: Last year Fort Lewis finished the season with a 6-43 overall record and a 5-13 conference record. The Skyhawks finished last in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference last year, and were predicted to tie for 11^th place this season.
 
About Minot State: Minot State finished the 2017 season with a 25-22 record, and went 15-15 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference to finish ninth. The Beavers were picked to finish 11^th in the NSIC this season.