Fresno State Athletics
Extra, Extra on Fresno State Softball
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Softball
February 17, 1999
Fresno, Calif. - Bulldogs In the WAC Fresno State has led the conference in batting average the last four years -- 1998 (.340), 1997 (.326), 1996 (.323) and 1995 (.317) ... For the third consecutive year, Fresno State has had the WAC Freshman of the Year (Becky Witt, 1998; Amanda Scott, 1997; and Lindsay Parker, 1996) ... Fresno State has finished among the top three since competing in the WAC since 1993 and has captured two WAC crowns (1998 and 1996) ... Four different programs which are or were members of the WAC have won the conference title and the league's NCAA automatic bid: (Utah, 1991-92), CS Northridge (1993-94-95), Fresno State (1998 and '96) and Colorado State (1997) ... The 1999 Bulldogs will look to become only the second program ever to win three WAC softball titles and the third to repeat as league champions ... Fresno State established six regular-season conference records (WAC games, only) in wins (28), best win/lost (28-2), runs (195), hits (292), total bases (395) and RBI (144) ...Individually for the returning Bulldogs, sophomore All-America outfielder Becky Witt (Reseda) set the league's run record (40) ... Junior All-America pitcher/outfielder Amanda Scott (Clovis) set the WAC's record for most wins to fewest losses (15-0).
Fresno State Makes NCAA Tournament History Fresno State is the only program in the country to have qualified for each of the 17 Division 1 Women's Softball Championships. Fresno State captured its first NCAA softball title, its 11th regional title overall and made its 11th trip to NCAA Women's College World Series out of 17 postseason championships since 1982. In the NCAA Tournament, Fresno State owns a 62-35 (.639) total postseason record: 33-14 (.702) in NCAA Regional action and 29-21 (.580) in WCWS play.
Bulldogs Top Draw Despite suffering through El Nino last season, the Bulldogs drew 35,220 fans in 16 home dates for an average of 2,201 and set six Top 25 Bulldog Diamond records. With the NCAA officially keeping total and average attendance marks since 1991, the Bulldogs have now led the country in both categories in six of the last eight seasons (unofficially in 11 of last 13). Fresno State, which holds the NCAA's single-season records in total (51,133) and average (2,557) attendance set in 1997, has drawn more than 120,000 fans while averaging nearly 2,400 per home date since the new Bulldog Diamond was built in 1996.
Fresno State Hosts 1999 WAC Championship and 1999 USA Softball Women's National Team Festival Boasting one of the finest softball facilities in the country, Bulldog Diamond will be the site of the 1999 WAC Softball Championship Tournament in mid-May (13-15) and the 1999 USA Coca-Cola USA Softball National Team Festival in mid-June (10-14). The 1999 WAC Softball Championship will be only the third softball tournament ever in the league's history. On the national scene, Fresno State was one stop USA Softball made during its 1997 Coca-Cola USA Softball American Challenge Series tour.
Jung Named to 1999 USA Junior World Team Freshman infielder Lovieanne Jung (Westminster) was selected to the 17-member 1999 USA Junior World National Team last November. The USA Junior World Team will look to defend its ISF world title this summer (June 17-27) in Taipei. Head coach Margie Wright directed the USA Junior National Team to its second world title in 1995. Other Bulldogs who were members of the USA Junior Girls World Team were Nina Lindenberg and Amanda Scott -- gold in 1995, Maureen Brady (silver, 1991), Julie Smith (gold, 1987) and Martha Noffsinger-O'Kelley (bronze, 1985).
Season Tickets and Seat Options On Sale Season tickets for the 1999 Fresno State softball season and seat options are on sale at the Bulldog Ticket Office. With different ticket plans being offered for seat option holders, the general public may purchase single-season tickets for bleacher seating: adults ($84.00), students/seniors (65+)/children ($38.00) and Fresno State faculty/staff ($68.00). Single-game tickets for bleacher seating: adults ($5.00), students/seniors/children ($3.00) and children five and under receive free admission. Single-game red seats may be purchased ($25.00) as well as a single-season seat option ($184.00). For more information, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS.
