Fresno State Athletics
Cornerstones
4/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 7, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. -
Let's not beat around the bush, the Bulldogs are out to win a national title. As one of the elite teams in the nation, Fresno State has one of the strongest nuclei in existence. With five All-Americans returning from last year's squad, who can question what this team is capable of. Seniors Amanda Scott (first team) and Angela Cervantez (first team), junior Becky Witt (third team) and sophomores Kristen Hunter (second team) and Lovie Jung (third team) blend speed, power and solid pitching with an excellent supporting cast. That is a lethal combination.
"I believe this team is capable of anything," Cervantez said. "We have the ability to overcome difficult obstacles and come together as a team to bring success to this program. We have one goal in mind this season - winning it all." Scott is an undeniable leader of this team. Coming into the season some of her career numbers in the circle include a 0.61 ERA, a stellar 73-13 win-loss record, 537 strikeouts, 41 shutouts and 80 complete games. At the plate her career average is .328, with 38 doubles, 26 home runs and 180 runs batted in. Despite all the numbers and prestigious honors, Scott is ready to go out there and win it again.
"It's our ultimate goal every year," Scott said. "Those of us that have a ring use it to say `we know what it takes' and we can lead the younger women by example." Cervantez and Witt are both cornerstones of the program. Cervantez had a stellar year last season putting up several career-bests. The left-handed hitting first baseman hit a team best .394, with 26 doubles, 7 homers and 73 RBI. Witt also had a career year with a solid .368 batting average and pilling up 88 hits. She is also a force on the base paths. She swiped 12 bags in 13 attempts and scored 62 runs.
The three upperclassmen have all experienced one College Softball World Series victory. But the trio is still hungry for another. "The only people we have to prove anything to is ourselves," Cervantez said. "It was a truly satisfying experience [in 1998] and we definitely want the opportunity again." Jung and Hunter were freshmen phenoms last season. Jung, a shortstop from Westminster, Calif., batted .330, with 6 home runs and 50 RBI in `99. She was the first freshman and seventh Bulldog in school history to post at least 100 total bases (115) in a season. Hunter played well beyond her youthful age for the Bulldogs in `99.
Named the WAC Freshman of the Year and NCAA Region MVP, the southpaw from Portland, Ore. was clutch. In 34 games and 194 1/3 innings she compiled a 26-6 record. She pitched 15 shutouts and stuck out 216 batters. In her 31 starts she had 10 ten-strike out performances, twice blowing away a school-record 15 batters against DePaul and CS Fullerton. It is definitely apparent the `Dogs will have a strong foundation in the future, but right now, these women are thinking in the present.
"Last season was a lot of fun," Jung said. "It was somewhat overwhelming coming to one of the top programs in the nation and competing for, who I believe, is the best coach in the nation. This year I feel a little more relaxed and ready to get down to business. Our number one goal is to win the national title." Producing a title in 1998 and five All-Americans in `99, head coach Margie Wright is deserving of much credit. She will win her 900th career ball game this season, a major accomplishment. Wright's council and direction has made huge impressions upon her present and former student-athletes, especially the five All-Americans. "Coach Wright has a very big influence on all of us," Cervantez said. "She is a big part of my life personally and I have learned so much from her." Scott agrees: "[Wright] is a great motivator and a great leader for this team. She's out there to fire us up individually and as a team. She is able to take our strengths, notice our weaknesses and react to them to give us a good team solution. She really emphasizes the team concept." Evidently the third-ranked `Dogs have the perfect ingredients. Nearly untouchable pitching, great athleticism in the field, instant offense and a great pitching staff will carry the softball team this year. Do not be surprised if the national championship material graces Bulldog Diamond again.
