Native American athletes in the Women’s College World Series

(Oklahoma City, OK) – Four months ago, college softball teams all across the country began their quest for a conference championship and then for one of the most sought after spots, a spot in the Women’s College World Series tournament held annually at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. As the first day kicks of for the WCWS, 8 teams will play their way through a double-elimination tournament to crown the 2019 Champion.

For Indian Country, the representation on some of the nations best college softball teams continues to grow. Below are a list of Native American players who will particpating in the WCWS tournament.

WCWS

SilentRain Espinoza (Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians) is a freshman starting third basemen for the University of Washington out of the Pac 12 Conference. The Huskies enter the tournament as the No. 3 ranked team in the nation and will face conference foe Arizona. This season Silentrain earned Pac-12 All-Freshman, NFCA All-Region Third Team and was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (April 22). She is also of Penobscot tribal descent.

Sydney Pennington (Cherokee Nation), out of Oklahoma State, starred during her first season of collegiate softball last season, racking up a .311 batting average, hitting seven home runs and driving in 39 runs. Pennington is one of five Cowgirls to start in every game for Oklahoma State last season, and she did so at three different positions (DP, LF, SS).

Michaela Richbourg (Choctaw Nation), out of Oklahoma State, has been the first bat off the bench for the Cowgirls last season and she has shined when her opportunities arise. Richbourg is currently batting .282 with 14 home runs on the season so far.

Chyenne Factor (Creek Nation), out of Oklahoma State, is a freshman for the Cowgirls and has a .341 batting average and has nine home runs on the season and 39 runs batted in.