Fresno State Athletics
What Dreams May Come
4/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 7, 2000
The NCAA Women's College World Series of 1998 will live forever in the minds of Fresno State softball players and fans. It will also always be with freshman outfielder Amanda Hinton. Hinton was watching the championship game of the series her junior year as Fresno State defeated No. 1 Arizona State 1-0 at her home in Vancouver, Washington. "My family was saying how awesome it would be for me to be able to play at Fresno State, of course I agreed but I really didn't think much about it." The next year as Hinton was wrapping up her senior year at Columbia River High School she received a call from head coach Margie Wright. "I was soon on a recruiting trip here and I fell in love with the school and the program."
Now in her first year as a Bulldog, Amanda is eagerly looking forward to her upcoming years. She is redshirting this season but is expected to add depth to the outfield in the future. "It's such a great experience to be part of one of the top programs in the nation," Hinton said. "In just this year I have already learned so much."
Hinton's softball days began in Vancouver, Washington. Throughout high school she lettered in soccer and softball. She was a three-year varsity starter in softball and she helped lead the team to a 1997 state championship title. Her love for soccer caused injuries that caused Hinton to undergo four knee surgeries, the first one during her sophomore year. Throughout the four surgeries her future in softball was never in question but she did have to give up soccer. Hinton's family has been her biggest supporters and fans during her adjustment to college life in California. Playing college ball runs in the family, her two older brothers Jason and Jared played baseball at a local junior college in Washington. Her parents Jon and Janet have supported Hinton in her decision to come to California. "My family has always been there for advice, they have supported all of my decisions my whole life especially when dealing with athletics."
Her transition from Washington to California has also been made easier thanks to the closeness of the team. "I fell in love with the team on my recruiting trip. We work very well as a team," Hinton said. Coach Wright has also helped her get through the adjustment. "Coach gives us pep talks that just don't deal with softball they're good advice for our everyday lives." Hinton has come a long ways since the spring of 1998. Instead of watching the College World Series on television she may soon be there herself.
