Get unlimited local news and information that matters to you.

Gallery: 1998 Western softball team gets inducted into Hall of Fame

April 12, 2025 4:57 pm

Members of the 1998 Western softball team take a photo together with their championship trophy. — Members of the 1998 Western softball team take a photo together with their championship trophy. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Members of the 1998 Western Washington University national championship softball team watch Alison Richards throw out the first pitch April 12 of the current Viking team's doubleheader versus Montana State University Billings at Viking Field. The 1998 team, which won the first national title in school history, was inducted into Western's Hall of Fame. — Members of the 1998 Western Washington University national championship softball team watch Alison Richards throw out the first pitch April 12 of the current Viking team's doubleheader versus Montana State University Billings at Viking Field. The 1998 team, which won the first national title in school history, was inducted into Western's Hall of Fame. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Looking through memory books, Dani Bingham and Heidi Maher react as they find a photo of their former teammate Sonya Joseph Perez, who died of cancer. — Looking through memory books, Dani Bingham and Heidi Maher react as they find a photo of their former teammate Sonya Joseph Perez, who died of cancer. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

With her 1998 championship teammates, Katie Stevens, in red hat, cheers on the current team before the start of the second game of a doubleheader. — With her 1998 championship teammates, Katie Stevens, in red hat, cheers on the current team before the start of the second game of a doubleheader. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Coni Hickey and Jen Brandolini-Register hold a sweatshirt bearing the number of former teammate Sonya Joseph Perez while listening to a speech about their 1998 championship season. — Coni Hickey and Jen Brandolini-Register hold a sweatshirt bearing the number of former teammate Sonya Joseph Perez while listening to a speech about their 1998 championship season. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Audience members listen to speeches about the 1998 Western softball team. — Audience members listen to speeches about the 1998 Western softball team. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Jen Brandolini-Register poses for a photo with her 1998 team photo, trophy and Hall of Fame coin. — Jen Brandolini-Register poses for a photo with her 1998 team photo, trophy and Hall of Fame coin. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Explaining how her hand swelled practicing for the first pitch, catcher CJ Johnson Evans, right, shares a laugh with pitcher Alison Richards. — Explaining how her hand swelled practicing for the first pitch, catcher CJ Johnson Evans, right, shares a laugh with pitcher Alison Richards. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Before leaving for home in Florida, Jen Brandolini-Register hugs her former teammates. — Before leaving for home in Florida, Jen Brandolini-Register hugs her former teammates. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Andie Miller, left, and former teammate Coni Hickey pose for a photo with their 1998 championship trophy. — Andie Miller, left, and former teammate Coni Hickey pose for a photo with their 1998 championship trophy. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Looking into a cell phone on the ground, members of the 1998 Western softball team take a photo. — Looking into a cell phone on the ground, members of the 1998 Western softball team take a photo. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Members of the 1998 Western softball team chat after a ceremony as the second game of a doubleheader starts. — Members of the 1998 Western softball team chat after a ceremony as the second game of a doubleheader starts. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Coni Hickey sports a pink sock in honor of teammate Sonya Joseph Perez, who died of cancer. — Coni Hickey sports a pink sock in honor of teammate Sonya Joseph Perez, who died of cancer. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Western Washington University’s year-long celebration of its 13 national championship teams, dubbed the “Year of the Viking,” finished Saturday, April 12 where it all began: with the 1998 softball squad.

The 1998 team reunited at Viking Field nearly 30 years later on Saturday as the 2025 Vikings’ team was facing Montana State Billings in a regular-season doubleheader.