SAN DIEGO – The San Diego softball program (0-0, 0-0 WCC) is set to open up the 2024 season this week, beginning by hosting Idaho State (0-0, 0-0 Big Sky) on Thursday at 4 p.m., at the USD Softball Complex.
 
From there, the Toreros play two games in the Stacy Winsberg Tournament, hosted by UCLA against Maryland (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) and No. 8 Texas (0-0, 0-0 Big 12) on Friday at 10 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. The weekend concludes with two games at the Mark Campbell Invitational in Irvine, Calif., against No. 10 UCLA (0-0, 0-0 PAC-12) and No. 8 Texas at 12:30 p.m., and 3 p.m., respectively.
 
OPPONENT HISTORY

• San Diego is 3-1 all-time against Idaho State and have won three straight against the Bengals, with the most recent wins coming in a Feb. 17, 2020 doubleheader.
• San Diego is 0-1 in the all-time series against Maryland, falling in a 13-9 thriller in 2016.
• San Diego is seeking their first win against UCLA, after coming close against the Bruins last season, in a 5-2 walk-off defeat on Feb. 12, 2023.
• The Toreros will face Texas for the first time in program history this weekend.

 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• The Toreros have their most All-WCC Preseason honorees since 2017 and the most under head coach MJ Knighten.
• Mikalyn Emanuelli, Emma Giaime and Amanda Limon all earned preseason honors for the first time in their career.
• In addition, the Toreros were picked to finish in a tie for second in the WCC preseason poll.
• Joining the Toreros this season are six freshmen, who comprise the No. 43 ranked recruiting class in the nation according to Extra Innings Softball.
• Michelle Delgado (No. 20) and Janae Combs (No. 46) were ranked nationally and are joined by Tele Jennings, Kaitlyn Bartlow, Kaitlyn Wynia and Dalia Powell.
• Also new to San Diego is Mo Wimpee, a graduate transfer via Purdue, who will anchor the pitching staff, as well as hit.
• The offense is led by Joecellia Roberts, who led the team in home runs, RBI and slugging last season, as well Emanuelli, Giaime, Arisa Tovar and Taylor Johnson among many others.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• The Toreros return 16 players from last season's roster, including at least seven starters on the field and all but one pitcher.
• San Diego opens the season at home for the first time since 2021.

 
HOW TO FOLLOW
Thursday's game will be broadcast via ESPN Plus, while Saturday's games will be streamed via FloSoftball. Live stats will be provided by statbroadcast. To stay up to date with Toreros softball, follow the team on Instagram & Twitter by searching "USDsoftball".