TAYLOR TROJANS (0-2) at OUAZ SPIRIT
Game Details	Wednesday, January 27th (DH) • 3 p.m. (Arizona) • Surprise, Ariz. • Willow Canyon High School Saturday, January 30th (DH) • Noon (Arizona) • Surprise, Ariz. • Willow Canyon High School
Video Stream	ouazspirit.com/digital
OTT App	NAIA Network (Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku)
Live Stats	ouazspirit.com/sidearmstats/softball
#17 COLLEGE OF IDAHO YOTES (0-0) at OUAZ SPIRIT
Game Details	Monday, February 1 • 11 a.m. (Arizona) • Surprise, Ariz. • Willow Canyon High School
Video Stream	ouazspirit.com/digital
OTT App	NAIA Network (Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku)
Live Stats	ouazspirit.com/sidearmstats/softball

A historic season that saw OUAZ softball topple three top-25 teams was cut short by the pandemic in 2020, but an energized and confident roster will look to swing that success into something more in 2021. The Spirit open its season with an six-game homestand starting Wednesday.

The schedule looks a lot different in 2021, as the six games at home to start the year will be the only games the Spirit play in Arizona prior to conference play. OUAZ will make two trips to Texas, and a trip to Oklahoma to fill out the month of February.

Taylor University visits Surprise for the second straight season-opening series in Surprise. The Spirit split the series, winning 5-2 in game one before losing 10-7 in the finale. OUAZ picked up its first win over a ranked opponent in program history against College of Idaho in last year's series, and will have the opportunity to beat a ranked Yotes team this season, as CofI comes in at 17 in the preseason poll.

Conference season looks different this year, as with most GSAC sports, the teams have been split up into two groups. OUAZ's group consists of only two teams – the Spirit and Arizona Christian. The winner of a seven-game series will play the winner of the other group to determine a conference champion.

Prior to the cancelation of the season, the Spirit ranked in the top 25 of a number of team categories. The pitching staff ranked 13^th in strikeouts, while offensively the team used its speed to rank 25^th in stolen bases.

The team returns a lot of its lineup from last season, led by Avery Bohn and Andraya Rhinehart. Bohn put together a solid first season in the program, hitting .345 with two doubles and 10 RBIs. Her 20 hits was second on the team behind Rhinehart.

Rhinehart led the team with 25 hits, and made teams pay for allowing her on base. She stole 18 bases in 23 games, 11^th most in the NAIA. She also had five doubles, seven RBIs and 32 total bases, putting together an impressive freshman campaign.

The team also returns outfielder Kelly Stumper, who posted a .379 batting average and a .526 on-base percentage. She reached base without even having to make contact with the ball nine times (four walks, five hit-by-pitches), and also added 9 RBIs in 18 games.

The pitching staff is returning a couple of familiar faces, with senior Alexandra McCutcheon and Phoebe Popplewell returning to the circle. Popplewell showed flashes in her freshman season, leading the team with a 3.23 ERA in 43.1 innings, including her first ever collegiate win in OUAZ's upset of 12^th-ranked Hope International last March 6.

Fans will not be permitted at the Willow Canyon High School for the upcoming homestand. Live video can be found at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ottawaaz/ and live stats can be found at https://ouazspirit.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary.