Fresno State Athletics
No. 9 Softball Readying for 2001 Season
1/29/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 29, 2001
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FRESNO, Calif. - Bulldogs Tabbed as WAC Preseason Favorite
The Western Athletic Conference The Western Athletic Conference released its 2001 softball preseason coaches poll last Tuesday, Jan. 23, and selected three-time defending champion Fresno State as the league favorite for the seventh consecutive year in the conference race. In a vote by the league coaches (coaches cannot vote for their own teams), Fresno State received four first-place votes for a total of 24 points to lead the WAC poll. Hawai'i, which finished second in the WAC the last three seasons, tallied two first-place votes and three second place. Loyola Marymount was tabbed third (16 pts.), Portland State was picked fourth (10 pts.) and Tulsa and San Jose State were voted fifth with nine points each. Fresno State is coming off a record 54-14 year and notched its 11th 50-win season in the last 14 years. The Bulldogs, who went 16-2 in conference play a year ago, have put together a 68-4 (.944) mark the last three seasons in WAC action. Setting a WAC precedent by being the first program to capture three straight titles, the Bulldogs will look to make history again by being the first team to string together four consecutive WAC crowns.
2001 Bulldogs
Fresno State returns seven letterwinners and five starters from last year's team, including senior All-America center fielder Becky Witt (Reseda, Calif.), senior all-WAC shortstop Alicia Dowland (La Palma, Calif.) and junior all-West Region third baseman Lindsay Fossatti (Tustin, Calif.). As the NCAA's all-time winningest coach, Margie Wright begins her 16th season at the helm of the Bulldog softball program. Looking to be the first NCAA Division I coach to reach the 1,000 win plateau, Wright enters the 2001 season 59 victories shy of that historic milestone and is eight wins short of her 800th victory at Fresno State. With a 21-year career record of 941-304-3 and a 15-year school record of 792-224-1, Wright has guided the Bulldogs to the NCAA Women's College World Series in 10 of the last 14 seasons and has collected 11 outright or shared conference titles, 10 regional championship crowns, and 15 straight NCAA postseason appearances. With a NCAA title and three national runner-up trophies to her credit, she has averaged 53 wins a year and has coached 44 All-Americans and 10 GTE Academic All-Americans.
Bulldog Softball Bus Tours
Fresno State already has two bus trips set up for the upcoming season. The first trip is to the Campbell/Cartier Tournament in Poway, Calif. The three-day, 12-team tournament field will have the Bulldogs battling Iowa State, host San Diego State, Michigan, CS Northridge and New Mexico. The bus will leave the campus on Friday, Feb. 16, 5:00 am. Check-in to the Clarion Bay View hotel will take place after the 'Dogs 1:00 pm game against the Cyclones. The Clarion is located in the Gaslamp District, noted for is restaurants and clubs as well as being within walking distance of the Horton Plaza, Seaport Village, the Paladion, the Convention Center and the trolley to Mexico. The round trip motor coach with two nights stay, transportation to the games, and tournament pass is $239 per person. Reservations are being taken through Jan. 22. In addition, a bus trip is scheduled for the San Jose State doubleheader on April 7. The up and back trip and ticket to the games is $40 per person. For details: 225-3164.
Head Coach Margie Wright
In 15 seasons as the head coach of the Fresno State softball program, Margie Wright (Illinois State, 1974) has directed the Bulldogs to a national title (1998) while guiding the program to the NCAA Women's College World Series in 10 of the last 14 years. As only the second NCAA Division I coach to amass 900 or more career victories, she owns an impressive 792-224-1 (.780) mark with the Bulldogs and a 21-year career record of 941-304-3 (.755). Entering the 2000 season as the all-time winningest active coach in NCAA Division I history, she became the NCAA's all-time career win leader on March 23 with a 2-1 victory over CS Northridge. Having directed the Bulldogs to the WCWS 10 times since 1986, Wright has collected 11 outright or shared conference titles, a WAC tournament championship, 10 regional championship crowns, and 15 straight NCAA postseason appearances. With a NCAA title and three national runner-up trophies to her credit, Wright is the only coach in school history to garner region coach of the year honors (seven times) and is the third head coach overall at Fresno State to capture National Coach of the Year honors (1998). An assistant coach for the 1996 USA Olympic softball gold medal team and leading the USA Softball National Team to a gold medal at the 1998 ISF World Championships, Wright has averaged 53 wins a year and has coached 42 All-Americans and 10 GTE Academic All-Americans. Wright, who has posted 50 or more wins 12 times, has notched 60 or more wins twice with seven WCWS appearances in the 1990's.
Milestones On the Horizon
With 792 victories at the helm of the Bulldog softball program, Wright enters the 2001 season eight wins shy of her 800th victory at Fresno State. In addition, Wright is looking to be the first NCAA Division I coach to reach the 1,000 victory plateau. Last season, she picked up her 900th career victory against Texas on March 4 -- only the second Division I head coach to amass 900 or more career wins -- and became the NCAA's all-time career win leader on March 23 against CS Northridge.
Fresno State's National Rankings
Fresno State has been no stranger to the national polls for the last 19 years. Nationally ranked every week since 1983, the Bulldogs have been in the nation's Top 20 for 19 straight years. In the polls, the 'Dogs have been ranked No. 1 five times, No. 2 35 times, No. 3 31 times and No. 4 20 times. Fresno State has finished in the poll's Top 10 in 144 of the last 149 weeks since the NCAA's first Top 15 poll in 1983.
Bulldogs Ranked No. 9 in Preseason Top 25
In the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll released last Wednesday, Jan. 24, Fresno State softball was voted No. 9 by 27 Division I softball coaches representing all areas around the country. Fresno State softball has been nationally ranked in the Top 20 polls the last 19 straight seasons since the NCAA released its first poll in 1983 (NCAA Top 15). On March 14, 1989, the Bulldogs achieved their first-ever No. 1 national ranking and were ranked No. 1 for two straight weeks in 1997 before finishing as the No. 1 team in the final 1998 USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll. In 1999, Fresno State opened the year with a No. 1 preseason ranking after winning the national title in 1998. The Fresno State softball program's five No. 1 rankings is the most ever by a Bulldog athletic team. With the Bulldogs showcasing a winning tradition year in and year out, the No. 9 preseason ranking is the lowest preseason ranking since 1994 when the Bulldogs were ranked seventh. That season the Bulldogs posted a 49-16 record and advanced to the NCAA Women's College World Series and finished fifth.
'Dogs Open 2001 Season Next Weekend
With nine Top 25 teams and three other programs receiving votes on the Bulldogs' slate in 2001, Fresno State opens its season on the road at Cal Poly on Saturday, Feb. 10, 12 p.m. Cal Poly will showcase its new 826-seat softball stadium - Bob Janssen Field - when it hosts Fresno State next week. The Bulldogs home opener follows the next day when Fresno State entertains No. 22 Long Beach State for a 1:00 pm non-conference doubleheader. Season tickets are on sale at the Bulldog Ticket Office (559-278-DOGS or toll free at 1-877-990-9283).
Jenny Eller Fresno State Softball Blood "Drive" Challenge
Hit a line drive to the Blood Center and get a voucher for $2 off any 2001 home game during the regular season. This life-giving gift can be given at any donor center or blood drive in Central California now through April 28, 2001.
In the Books
Having been featured in USA Today (May 9, 2000) and showcased in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" (May 22, 2000) for her coaching success, Wright has been singled out in a book documenting 42 of the most successful and illustrious female coaches and athletic administrators over the past 30 years. Written by Nena Hawkes and John Seggar, they give biographical accounts such as personal data, playing career, decision to coach, philosophy of coaching, memorable moments, role models, etc. Prominent profiles included women basketball coaches like Billie Moore (UCLA) and Vivian Stringer (Rutgers), softball coaches Sharron Backus and Wright, volleyball coach Elaine Michaelis (BYU), and Sacramento State Athletic Director Judith Davidson.
ESPN Broadcast
Former Bulldog softball standout Amanda Scott was selected as one of the elite eight student-athletes in the country her senior year and was selected as a NCAA Top VIII Award recipient, Scott received her award at the 2001 NCAA Convention in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 7. ESPN will broadcast the honors ceremony on Friday, Feb. 2, 1:00 pm (EST).
Lunch with Margie
Four dates have been set to have lunch with Margie at the Silver Dollar Hofbrau this season. With all lunches starting at 11:30 am, Wright will also do a question and answer session with the fans. The four dates are Feb. 12, March 12, April 16 and May 7.
Records Set in 2000
Fresno State set or tied eight team records in school history last year:
* Consecutive conference wins (33, 2/2/99 - 4/22/2000)
* Consecutive conference home wins (31, 3/10/98 - 4/22/2000)
* Tied consecutive conference road wins (19, 3/26/99 - 5/7/200)
* Bulldog Diamond attendance, single-date (5,724 vs. Arizona, 3/14/2000)
* Fewest walks allowed (57)
* Consecutive no-hitters (2 -- vs. UC Santa Barbara, 3/1 & Florida State, 3/3)
* Highest fielding percentage (.973)
* Tied most triples in a game (3 vs. Tulsa, 5/13)
Bulldogs Are Top Draw
Fresno State drew its largest single-season attendance in 1999 while resetting its own NCAA record for the second time in four years. With the NCAA officially keeping total and average attendance since 1991, the Bulldogs have led the country in both categories in eight of the last 10 seasons (unofficially in 13 of last 15). Fresno State, which holds four NCAA attendance records including total (55,746) and average (2,557), has drawn more than 225,000 fans to date. With a new record in ticket sales for five consecutive years and preseason sales surpassing the 1,000 plateau the last four straight, the 'Dogs are 149-19 at Bulldog Diamond since 1996 while setting five Top 25 marks -- three in the Top 10 -- in 2000. Fresno State broke its own NCAA single-date attendance mark of 5,724 vs. Arizona on March 14.
'Dogs Makes NCAA Tournament History
Fresno State is the only program in the country to have qualified for each of the 19 Division 1 Women's Softball Championships. Fresno State owns a NCAA softball title, 12th regional crowns and has made 12th trips to NCAA Women's College World Series out of 19 postseason championships since 1982. In the NCAA Tournament, Fresno State owns a 72-46 (.610) total postseason record: 40-16 (.714) in NCAA Regional action and 30-23 (.567) in WCWS play.
Statement of Pride: 2000 In Review
The 2000 Fresno State softball season was peppered with milestones and victories. The Bulldogs finished with an overall record of 54-14 and snagged their third straight conference title (fourth crown in five years) with a 16-2 mark in Western Athletic Conference play. Fresno State has finished among the WAC's top three since joining the conference in 1983 and became the first program to capture four WAC titles and the second ever to win three straight. One of nine schools to post 50 or more wins, Fresno State again led the nation in team ERA and saw four time First Team All-American Amanda Scott repeat as the NCAA individual ERA statistical champion. She concluded her career ranked in the NCAA's top 10 in win percentage (.855, 106-18), shutouts (68) and victories (106). She concluded an outstanding career by holding five school and six WAC records. Taking on yet another Top 25 schedule, Fresno State played the top three teams in the country 10 times last season, including a win over national champion Oklahoma. Making their 15th NCAA postseason tournament appearance, the Bulldogs posted their sixth straight and 12th 50-win season (13th overall in school history) under Wright. Wright was the second NCAA Division 1 coach to amass 900 or more career victories. Entering the 2000 season as the all-time winningest active coach she stamped her name in the NCAA recordbooks as the all-time winningest coach on any division level with a 2-1 victory over CS Northridge on March 23. With NCAA records in total attendance twice in the last four years, the Bulldogs again led the country in both total and average for the eighth time in the past 10 years (unofficially in 13 of last 15). Drawing more than 225,000 fans in the last five years, Fresno State broke its own NCAA single-date attendance mark of 5,724 against Arizona on March 14.
2001 Bulldog Softball Individual Notebook
Jr., IF/OF, Vanessa Czarnecki Tied career-high five -game hit streak & batted .313 (5-16, R, SH, 5 TB) ... in last 29 games, batted .244 (20-82, 14 R, double, 7 BB, 3 RBI, 21 TB, .256 slug pct.) ... scored a run in 16 of last 32 games ... led team in SH (14) & third in R (34) & stolen bases (5) ... had GWH vs. CS Fullerton in regional play ... turned one double play ... had six multiple-hit games ... four-time Deans List ... two-time WAC all-Academic, WAC Scholar-Athlete and Fresno State Scholar-Athlete.
Sr., SS, Alicia Dowland
Hit .310 (9-29) with a run, double, six RBI, 10 total bases & .345 slug pct. in May ... season-best four-game streak & batted .500 (6-12) with a R, HR, 3 RBI, 9 TB and .750 slug pct. ...tied for fourth in RBI (25) ... turned 11 double plays ... tied career-high 3 RBI vs. Hawai'i & San Jose State ... had seven multiple-hit games & four multiple-RBI ... had GWH vs. #15 Long Beach State ... 1999 Second Team All-WAC ... four-time Deans List ... two-time WAC all-Academic and Fresno State Scholar-Athlete.
Jr., 3B, Lindsay Fossatti
Career-high nine-game hit streak & batted . 417 (10-24, 4 R, 3 RBI, double, 2 HR, 5 BB, 17 TB, .708 slug pct.) ... had GWH vs. Mississippi State (2-run HR), CS Northridge & Hawai'i ... turned one double play ... second on team in walks (17) ... had 10 multiple-hit games & five multiple RBI ...1999 First Team All-West Region ... two-time first team all-WAC ... two-time WAC all-academic, WAC Scholar-Athlete and Fresno State Scholar-Athlete ... four-time Deans List.
So., RHP, Lindsay Foster
Had first collegiate start on the road against Harvard and picked up a 9-1 (5 inn.) win against the Crimson ... in the start, she gave up two hits, one run (unearned), walked two and struck out three ... had second collegiate start at home against Cal Poly and pitched 1.1 innings ... she gave up one hit, one walk and struck out one ... 1999 Fall Deans List ... 1999 Fresno State Scholar-Athlete.
Fr., C/IF/OF, Mitzi Ing
Four-year varsity starter as pitcher, third baseman and centerfield at Iolani High School ... as a senior, posted a 0.21 ERA with a 15-0 record and batted .360 ... helped IHS to its second straight state championship title ... selected state pitcher of the year her final two seasons ... two-time Interscholastic League of Honolulu's Player of the Year ... two-time first team all-state pick as a pitcher ... Gatorade's Hawaii Softball Player of the Year in 2000 ... inductee into the Hawaii Nissan Hall of Honor ... received the Father Bray Award (top female athlete at Iolani) ... tossed a perfect game in the state softball championship game ... ASA 18-under state champions (No. 9 nationally).
Fr., RHP/UT, Jamie Southern
Two-sport varsity letterwinner in volleyball and softball at Clovis High School ... in softball, played four positions (pitcher, first base, right field and center field) ... as a senior, batted .393 with 12 doubles, seven triples, a home run, 21 RBI, 43 runs and 18 stolen bases ... in the circle, she went 19-4 with a 0.27 ERA and 229 strikeouts in 204 innings ... posted 16 shutouts, three no-hitters and one perfect game ... helped CHS to a Tri-River Athletic Conference championship while guiding her team to district and sectional titles ... NFCA/Louisville Slugger High School first team All-American and all-West Region first team at utility ... 2000 Cal-Hi Sports state softball player of the year ... Tri-River Athletic Conference player of the year ... set a section record with 54 hits her final season ... Cal-Hi Sports sophomore & freshman player of the year ... in prep career, posted a 72-17-1 record with a 0.32 ERA and batted .393 (202-514).
So., C, Pam West
Starting catcher in all 68 games ... had a .994 fielding percentage & committed three errors in 498 total chances ... threw out 13 base stealers (28-41) -- most by a Bulldog catcher since 1994 ... collegiate debut at the plate against No. 1 UCLA & stole a base ... hit first career double and scored first career run against CS Northridge & followed that with second career run and double against BYU ... had four multiple hit games ... had first career RBI vs. BYU ... 1999 Fresno State Scholar-Athlete
Jr., OF, Tiffany Whipple
Transfer from the University of Pacific ... as a freshman, started all 60 games as the leadoff hitter ... led UOP with 57 hits & tied for the team lead in stolen bases (8) ... finished second in batting (.298) and third in runs (25) and sac hits (10) ... as a sophomore, started all 56 games ... led team in batting (.293), hits (53), sacrifices (10) & stolen bases (15) ... shared team lead in runs (25) and total bases (64) ... Deans List.
Sr., CF, Becky Witt
Batted .545 (18-33) with 7 R, 3 BB, SH, 3-4 SB, 18 TB, .545 slug pct. in May ... had season-best 12-game hit streak & batted .568 (21-27) with 10 R, HR, 3 RBI, 3 SH, 2-3 SB, 2 BB, 24 TB, .649 slug pct. ... hit safely in 21 of last 22 games & batted .464 (32-69) with 13 R, double, HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 4-5 SB, 2 HBP, 4 SH, 36 TB, .522 slug pct. ... closed out year hitting safely in 13 of last 14 games & batted .512 (22-43) with 10 R, HR, 3 RBI, 3 SH, 2-3 SB, 2 BB, 25 TB, .581 slug pct. ... led team in hits (84), runs (43) & stolen bases (12) while second in batting (.377) & total bases (95) ... had 22 multiple-hit games (second-best) & three multiple-RBI ...scored at least one run in 32 games ... turned one double play ... WAC Player of the Week ... NFCA National Player of the Week ... NFCA Leadoff Classic All-Tourney ... 2x All-American ... 3x All-West Region & All-WAC ... 2x NCAA All-Regional ... 1998 WAC Freshman of the Year ... 2x GTE Academic All-District VIII ... 2000 GTE Academic All-America Third Team.
