Fresno State Athletics
2000-01 Softball Outlook
1/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Despite losing four All-Americans, 16th-year head coach Margie Wright believes that this 2001 Fresno State softball team will answer every challenge they are given.
In a season that others may view as a rebuilding year, Fresno State's combination of youth and experience will go hand in hand with the opportunity to succeed.
The 16-member squad is comprised of ten underclassmen, six of which are freshmen, nine newcomers and two seniors. The `Dogs are not focusing on what they've lost but relying on what lies within themselves - verity.
"This year could prove to be a very exciting season," said Wright, who is the NCAA's all-time winningest coach. "Our young pitching staff has the ability to be one of the best in the nation. Our infield is extremely solid and our outfield will be one of the fastest ever at Fresno State.
"We will have extensive speed and experience at the top of our line up," Wright continued. "We have explosive power in the middle and very solid base hitters. We will have stability throughout the line up."
Like every season, the Bulldogs' schedule is littered with Top 25 teams. With four tournaments on the slate, including Fresno State's annual Hedrick's Hallowell Chevrolet Softball Classic, the `Dogs will be looking to make their mark right off the bat.
"Our schedule is a tough one early," said Wright, who enters the 2001 season eight wins shy of her 800th victory at Fresno State. "This will give us the opportunity to give experience to all of our new players and I believe they will respond in a very positive way.
"I am exited about this year's team because they have that intangible ability to overachieve on a daily basis," Wright added. "They have a clear understanding of putting themselves on the line at all times."
All for One
Leaders play an important role, especially when they are the corner stone of a program that has been a perennial powerhouse in collegiate softball.
The Bulldogs are under the leadership of seniors Alicia Dowland and Becky Witt, who as freshmen helped Fresno State to its first NCAA Division 1 team title.
Dowland, an all-Western Athletic Conference selection, is the anchor of the Bulldogs' infield. Having stepped into a starting role and asked to fill the shoes of a four-year decorated veteran, Dowland has made her own mark at shortstop.
An emotional charged leader, Dowland is a slick infielder who had averaged nine double plays a season in her collegiate career while missing just one game. A singles hitter who has demonstrated power, Dowland will look to find the stroke she had in 1999 when she hit .286 and had 54 hits even though she produced a season-best 25 RBI last year in the No. 8-9 hole.
"Alicia is our field captain," said Wright. "Her experience and ability to help bring out the best in others will have a huge positive affect on our infield. She is a solid player defensively and looks to bring a new dimension up to bat. She will use her abilities and leadership to take this team to the top."
Witt, a two-time All-America outfielder, is the Bulldogs' director in the centerfield as well as a catalyst in the top of the lineup. A career .378 hitter, Witt enters the 2001 season ranked third in career runs, fourth in batting and sixth in hits at Fresno State. The three-time all-West Region selection hit nearly .500 in her last 22 games after batting .464 (32-69) and scoring at least one run in 32 games in 2000. After leading the `Dogs in nearly every offensive category, Witt has started every game but one in her collegiate career.
"I still believe Becky is the fastest college softball player in 2001," Wright said. "She is a leader by example and will anchor our team's offense. Becky has a great arm and covers nearly the whole outfield defensively."
Four-Star Class
The junior class returns two starting veterans in Vanessa Czarnecki and Lindsay Fossatti while showcasing two transfers in Lashme Gomez and Tiffany Whipple.
Czarnecki, a two-year starter in the outfield, will move within the dirt lines at first base this season. As the team leader in sacrifice hits and third in runs and stolen bases, Czarnecki has been a solid "set up" player at the plate while gunning out runners looking for that extra base.
"An exceptional athlete, Vanessa will be our second baseman this season," Wright said. "Her quickness and aggressiveness will make it very difficult for opposing teams. Vanessa will be a big contributor offensively as she gives us a triple threat with her ability to bunt, slap and hit effectively."
A two-year starter at third base, Fossatti will lead a stingy defense in the infield. Batting better than .320 in the final 14 games of the 2000 season, Fossatti posted a career-best nine-game hit streak and hit .417.
"Lindsay is outstanding on defense," Wright said. "She has worked hard offensively in the off season and will be a vital threat at the plate. Lindsay will be one of our key batters knocking in runs as well as keying our left side of the defense."
Out of the College of the Sequoias, Gomez was a two-year starter at second base for the Giants. A two-time all-Central Valley selection for COS, Gomez helped her junior college team to a 25-15 record and was an all-state tournament pick both years.
"Lashme is a great addition to our program," Wright said. "Her attitude alone makes her an exceptional ball player. She is a sound hitter and can play anywhere in the infield. Lashme will be very instrumental in our offensive ability this year."
A two-year starter in the outfield and leadoff batter for the University of Pacific, Whipple brings her speed and on base capabilities to the Bulldogs. Averaging 55 hits a season and leading UOP in stolen bases, Whipple is a local product out of Buchannan High School.
"A terrific addition, Tiffany has so much speed and experience," Wright said. "She will be a stabilizing force in our outfield. With a very accurate arm and her ability to make things happen at the plate, Tiffany will wreak havoc for the opponents."
Two and Two
The sophomore class is battery charged. With two pitchers at least 6-0 tall and two catchers who have been with the Bulldogs for a full season, Fresno State will throw a pair of right-handers in the circle in Lindsay Foster and Leslie Poole while catchers Pam West and Caitlin Haworth-Yasger are back behind the dish.
Foster, the only returning pitcher for the Bulldogs, logged two starts and picked up a win in two appearances as a rookie. Learning the system and absorbing the talents of an All-America pitching staff, Foster will be given the opportunity to showcase her pitching prowess.
"Lindsay has done a great job in the off season," Wright said. "She has developed a better command over all her pitches. She is aggressive and will do whatever it takes to help her team win. Her role as a starter and possible reliever this season is a big plus for our team."
A transfer from the University of Tennessee, Poole had 20 starts for the Volunteers. Despite going 10-10 with a 3.55 ERA, Poole finished second on the team in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts and ERA.
"Leslie adds a lot of experience to a new pitching staff," Wright said. "Her maturity and the fact that she is a student of the game will add so much to this year's team. Extremely competitive, she will work hard until she gets the job done."
West, who started every game at catching and called pitches for a pair of All-Americans, is back behind the plate. Committing just three errors in nearly 500 total chances and throwing out the most base stealers for a Bulldog catcher since 1994, West quickly and non-apologetically developed into one of the team's vocal leaders on the field.
"Pam is a great leader," Wright said. "Having improved at the plate offensively, her experience as a caller, her arm and her leadership will prove more than what will show up in a box score. Pam has a huge challenge to help bring out the best in an inexperienced pitching staff but she knows how to do it."
Haworth-Yasger did not see any "game" time last season but her experience in the bullpen with some of the nation's best pitchers will prove invaluable. "Caitlin absorbed the collegiate game like a sponge," Wright said. "She was a vital cog in our pitchers' success despite not seeing any live action. You have to have people willing to work on their game while still believing that they are contributing."
Bases Covered
With six new freshmen donning a Bulldog uniform questions come up about what they can contribute and how quickly. For Fresno State, the answer is the same: they will grow as quickly on the field when they have the courage to stand alone and be accountable.
Tough? Shocking? Or pragmatic? Not as tough when you decide what you believe in and then stand up and be counted. Not as shocking when you want to release your potential and help others release theirs. And, yes, pragmatic when you truly understand that a whole is greater than individuals.
The new class has all the Bulldogs' bases covered with two pitchers, a catcher, an outfielder, a utility player, and an infielder joining the 2001 cast. And these six are not limited to just their particular positions, either.
One of the highly touted pitching prospects coming out of high school, Jamie Southern should add her name along side other distinguished Bulldog greats who have toed the rubber at Bulldog Diamond.
Southern, a local product out of Clovis High School, played four positions as a prepster. The NFCA/Louisville Slugger High School first team All-American posted a 72-17-1 record with a 0.32 ERA in the circle while batting .393 (205-514) in her career. As a senior she went 19-4 with a 0.27 ERA and 229 strikeouts in 204 innings and notched 16 shutouts, three no-hitters and one perfect game. The 2000 Cal-Hi Sports state softball player of the year set a section record with 54 hits her senior year.
"Jamie is a tremendous athlete," Wright said. "She will have a huge positive impact on our program this year. She is a great hitter and has all the pitches. She can play both first base and the outfield when she's not pitching."
Lori Hoffman, an infielder and left-handed pitcher, will compliment not only the infield but the pitching staff as well. A three-year starter at first base and pitcher at Benicia High School, she was a 2000 all-state selection by Cal-Hi Sports.
"Lori already plays like a veteran," Wright said. "Potentially a solid power hitter, she is a good addition to our pitching staff and our infield."
Courtney Rathjens, from nearby Tulare Union High School, rounds out the Bulldogs' catching contingent. Having set the school's single-season home run and RBI record at THS, the two-time all-area selection also broke ground by becoming the school's first girl football player. In fact, she was the 1997 punt, pass and kick national champion.
"Courtney has good skills behind the plate," Wright said. "A powerful plus to our offense, she is a hard worker and will have the opportunity to make a difference in our offensive ability."
Michelle Wright, out of Grossmont High School, was a four-year varsity starter in centerfield. As a four-time all-Grossmont North League pick, she captured second team all-East County accolades her last two seasons.
"Michelle has a great arm from the outfield," Wright said. "An all-around athlete, she will need to gain experience. Showing power, she should develop into a sound addition to our offense."
Mitzi Ing, a four-year varsity starter as a pitcher, third baseman and outfielder at Iolani High School, is the second Hawaiian-born athlete to play for the Bulldogs. Posting a 15-0 mark with a 0.21 ERA while batting .360 as a senior, Ing helped IHS to back-to-back state championships titles. The two-time Interscholastic League of Honolulu's Player of the Year also was a two-time first team all-state pick as a pitcher.
"Mitzi is simply fantastic," Wright said. "She will see time in the infield and outfield and we will even see her talents in catching. A very good hitter and fierce competitor, Mitzi's talents alone will make our infield and outfield stronger."
One of five Valley products on this year's team, Pam Perez' resume rounds out the Bulldogs' mobility and versatility that they have not seen in recent years. Also a stellar standout at Clovis High School, Perez was a four-year varsity starter at second base. She guided the Cougars to a 103-14-9 record her final three seasons. Perez also helped CHS to three straight conference crowns and two Valley titles.
"Pam is an extremely talented young player," Wright said. "An outstanding infielder, she can also play the outfield and is a tremendous offensive threat. She possesses very good speed and has a solid and accurate arm."
Eye of the Tiger
Fresno State's plan of attack is to look at what lies before them in a clear and direct manner. In borrowing a quote from Mencius (Mengzi Meng-Tse), a noted Chinese philosopher (370-300 BC), the Bulldogs have adopted this blueprint for success:
If you know the point of balance, You can settle the details. If you can settle the details, You can stop running around. Your mind will become calm. If your mind becomes calm, You can think in front of a tiger. If you can think in front of a tiger, You will surely succeed.
