Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Softball Favored to Win 1999 WAC Title
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Softball
January 19, 1999
Fresno, Calif. - The Western Athletic Conference released its 1999 softball preseason coaches poll this afternoon and gave Fresno State two thumbs up for capturing the WAC title this spring.
In a vote by the league coaches (coaches cannot vote for their own teams), Fresno State received eight first-place votes for a total of 64 points to lead the WAC poll. Hawai'i, which finished second in the WAC last season, tallied one first-place vote for 54 points. Utah was tabbed third (52 pts.), Colorado State was picked fourth (40 pts.) and UNLV was voted fifth (35 pts.) to round out the top five.
Fresno State, which began preseason workouts On Jan. 12, is ready to defend its 1998 NCAA Softball Championship title after posting a 52-11 record and a 28-2 WAC mark.
The Bulldogs return 11 letterwinners, including seven starters -- three of whom are All-Americans in senior pitcher Lindsay Parker, junior pitcher/outfielder Amanda Scott and sophomore outfielder Becky Witt.
The USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Coaches Top 25 preseason poll is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
Fresno State opens its 1999 season on the road with a pair of doubleheaders against UC Santa Barbara (Feb. 13) and Cal Poly (Feb. 14). The Bulldogs first appearance of the season at Bulldog Diamond will be February 22 against Hawai'i as both schools open conference play.
In addition, Fresno State will honor its 1998 National Champions with a ring presentation and the unveiling of the national championship banner at Bulldog Diamond.
The public can get a sneak peak at the defending national champions on Thursday, February 4, at Selland Arena during halftime of the men's basketball game versus San Jose State. The 1999 Bulldogs will be introduced and will give a team demonstration.
Two days later, fans can meet the Bulldogs on Saturday, February 6, from 12 Noon until 1:30 pm at Fashion Fair Mall (mall's main entrance). Posters, schedule cards, autographs, games, prizes, and pictures with "Time-Out" will be available to the public free of charge.
In addition, fans can also have lunch with the Bulldogs at the annual "Meet the Team" lunch and silent auction on Sunday, Feb. 21, 12 Noon, at TorNino's. Reservations ($20 tickets) may be made by phoning (559) 439-0605.
The Bulldogs are under the direction of 14th year head coach Margie Wright, who owns an impressive 673-200-1 (.771) mark with Fresno State and a 19-year career record of 822-280-3 (.745).
Wright enters the 1999 season as the third all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division 1 history (by victories) and is second among active coaches. She also begins the season 25 wins shy of moving into a tie for second place on the all-time win list with former UCLA head coach Sharron Backus (847-167-3).
Wright has guided the Bulldogs to the NCAA Women's College World Series in nine of the last 12 seasons and has collected nine outright or shared conference titles, nine regional championship crowns, and 13 straight NCAA postseason appearances. With an NCAA title and three national runner-up trophies to her credit, she has averaged 52 wins a year and has coached 37 All-Americans and seven GTE Academic All-Americans.
WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SOFTBALL COACHES PRESEASON POLL (January 13, 1999)* Coaches cannot vote for their own teamsSchool Points 1. FRESNO STATE (8) 64 2. Hawai'i 54 3. Utah 52 4. Colorado State 40 5. UNLV 35 6. San Diego State 30 7. San Jose State 21 8. New Mexico 14 8. Tulsa 14
