Fresno State Athletics
2002 Softball Outlook
1/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
It's a year of "can't wait to see" in 2002.
Fresno State softball can't wait to get started and tuck away a season that fell short of expectations and endured injuries. Fresno State softball can't wait to see how a young group of unheralded players answer the challenges laid out by 17th year head coach Margie Wright. Fresno State softball can't wait to make its own mark and add to the history of a nationally renowned program that celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2002.
As the 17-player squad suits up, Bulldog fever ignites an internal core within and the proclamation of sticktoitness becomes the 'Dogs resolve for "can't wait to see" results.
Already the NCAA's all-time winningest coach, Wright is prepared to direct the Bulldogs to one of the biggest turnarounds in Fresno State softball history.
"Youth will abound but it will become experienced very early on," said Wright, who will become the first and only NCAA Division I coach to amass 1,000 Division I wins this spring. "They are prepared to work hard, work together, work within themselves and work to win.
"Last year was more than disappointing but this season could prove to be one of the biggest turnarounds in the program's history," said the 1998 National Coach of the Year. "This season may be the medicine needed to fortify the returnees, especially those who had a difficult year last season with injuries.
"This team will be tested right out of the chute and how they respond to that and with one another will be a key in our success," Wright added. "This year's squad will stick together and the improvements gained as they grow together will take them through a tough schedule."
The 2002 schedule presents a difficult pre-conference slate. Playing 28 games at home while being on the road for 36-plus during the regular-season, the Bulldogs open the year at three consecutive tournaments (Fiesta Bowl, Campbell/Cartier and NFCA Leadoff Classic). With the potential of meeting at least 15 Top 25 teams during the year, the Bulldogs return home to play 14 straight and will host their own Hedrick's Hallowell Chevrolet Classic. Fresno State will then embark on another three-week road swing with stops at the Kia Klassic, UCLA and Stanford. Appearing at Bulldog Diamond for only eight games in April, Fresno State will resume life away from home with another three-week stint as it travels to Oklahoma City for the first West Coast-Midwest Challenge to battle Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. After playing at Hawai'i, Louisiana Tech and Tulsa in Western Athletic Conference contest, the Bulldogs close out the regular-season by playing six of their final eight games at Bulldog Diamond.
Pitchers
Mention Fresno State and outstanding pitching comes to mind. This season will showcase some of the nation's exceptional young arms.
"Once again we could be fielding one of the best pitching staffs around," Wright said. "Last year was a great test for our pitching staff and the experience they were able to get will hopefully make them even stronger this season."
Three returnees along with two new freshmen should be very challenging for Bulldog opponents and their offense.
Junior right-handers Leslie Poole and Lindsay Foster along with sophomore southpaw Lori Hoffman will join forces with freshmen right-handers Amanda Wolf and Jamie Southern.
Poole, a second team all-WAC selection, was one of two pitchers in the conference to tally 20 victories in 2001. Posting a 20-7 record with 11 shutouts, Poole notched a season-best streak of 47.2 scoreless innings and threw five consecutive shutout wins, including a 1-0 win over then No. 4 Stanford.
Foster, who was set back by mononucleosis for the first 10 games of the 2001 season, had 10 starts in 14 appearances last year. Posting a season-high 20.0 innings without giving up an earned run, Foster went 6-2 with three shutouts.
Hoffman, who led the WAC in ERA, had 12 appearances against Top 25 teams with wins over DePaul, Oregon State and CS Fullerton last season. Also leading the team in doubles while second in RBI, Hoffman closed out the year by hitting safely in 12 of her last 17.
"These three will provide a great deal of experience to our staff," Wright said. "Their knowledge from last season should be a huge boost to us this spring. With pitchers who can bat, that provides us a lot of options."
Wolf, an NFCA All-American out of Elgin High School in Texas, owns a variety of six pitches. Clocked as high as 65 mph, Wolf was named all-State Player of the Year while totaling more than 1,000 strikeouts in her prep career.
"Amanda is an outstanding addition to our staff," Wright said. "Her competitiveness in the circle, her power and her team concept will be a big part of our success."
Southern, a local product out of Clovis High School who is coming off a medical redshirt season after suffering a shoulder injury, will finally get to showcase her skills and why she was considered one of the top high school pitchers coming onto the collegiate scene.
"Jamie is a huge addition to our team," Wright said. "Not only will Jamie anchor the pitching staff, she will also add a strong offensive punch in our line up.
"This staff should prove to make the biggest positive turnaround of our entire team. I can't wait."
Catchers
Behind the plate, Fresno State also had tremendous success with producing very good defensive catchers.
Juniors Pam West and Caitlin Haworth-Yasger will be reinforced by the arrival of redshirt freshman Ashley Foth.
West, who led the nation in percentage of runners thrown out (74%) last season, gave up the fewest stolen bases ever in school history (7). Throwing out 20 would-be basestealers in 2001 wound up being the third-highest mark in the school's annals.
"Pam has one of the strongest arms in the nation," Wright said. "Her prowess over basestealers is tremendous and she is certainly ready for their challenges this season. She is extremely smart behind the plate and her experience with each of our pitchers will help her bring out the best in them and our entire team."
Haworth-Yasger, who has had the sole responsibility in getting the nationally-ranked pitching staff prepared for game time duties as well as having them hone their skills, is looking to provide relief help.
"Caitlin has the potential to be a huge asset to our team," Wright said. "She has worked so hard to overcome several injuries to continue to help our team be successful. Our hope this season is for Caitlin to remain injury free and be a positive addition to our battery."
Foth, a local product out of Fresno Christian High School, sat out last season to learn the system after being a four-year varsity starter at FCHS.
"Ashley is a walk-on catcher with an awesome attitude," Wright said. "She helps make our pitching staff and team stronger with her continual work ethic and team attitude."
First Base
A position that literally could be asked by all "Who's on first" will not be a distraction but rather a strength for the Bulldogs.
Hoffman and Southern will likely see action at first base when they are not pitching. Freshman Julie Selbicky and senior Vanessa Czarnecki could also be top candidates at that position.
Selbicky, an NFCA All-American out of Notre Dame High School, had a .396 career batting average and comes onto the collegiate scene as one of the top 32 freshmen players.
Czarnecki, who battled a shoulder injury all of last season and made the move from outfield to infield, has started every game but four at Fresno State. Ranked seventh in school history in career sacrifices (45), Czarnecki turned 14 double plays in her first season at first base.
"Lori has a big advantage being left-handed and Jamie and Lori's bats will be huge," Wright said. "Julie could see action at first base because she has great infield ability. Her strong arm also will make her a candidate in the outfield as well. Vanessa was one of the best defensive first baseman we've had. Her great abilities and recovery from injury also could have her see action at second base as well."
Second Base
Sophomore Pam Perez and Czarnecki are two infielders with solid starting experience and versatility. Perez turned eight double plays after starting at second base for all 58 games as a rookie.
"Pam proved last year as a freshman to be one of the best defensive second basemen in the country," Wright said. "Her steady defensive play will be a big plus. If Pam and Vanessa both end up at second, Pam also could see action at shortstop or the outfield. Regardless of who is in that position, the infield will be in veteran's hands.
Shortstop
Replacing a four-year starter can be detrimental to teams who are not prepared. Fresno State has added some young faces that are described as "electrifying" by Wright in freshmen Leticia Pacheco and Selbicky.
Pacheco, a three-time all-CIF pick out of Bloomington High School, hit .425 as a freshman and guided BHS to the CIF finals as a junior.
"The addition of Leticia will be electrifying for our fans," Wright said. "She has a lot of range and an awesome arm. She gained a lot of experience last fall and will be a great boost to our team both defensively and offensively. Julie and Pam could also see some action at short if Leticia is put in the outfield. Leticia is another player who gives us a lot of options."
Third Base
The hot corner is not nicknamed that for nothing. Lightning quick reflexes and mental quickness makes this one of the most unenviable positions, but yet exciting.
Senior Lindsay Fossatti has been the Bulldogs' mainstay the past three seasons. Leading the WAC in RBI last season, Fossatti's game both on the field and in the classroom has put her among the nation's elite. The three-time first team all-WAC pick already ranks among the school's and WAC's best in hitting.
"Lindsay is one of the best third basemen in the nation," Wright said. "Her 'cat-like' reactions and her arm make it very difficult to get a ball by her. She will again be one of our top hitters this season and her experience will be our strength in the infield."
Outfield
Programs throughout the seasons have envied Bulldog outfielders. With former All-Americans patrolling the grounds of Bulldog Diamond like Laura Berg, Jenifer Henry, Robyn Yorke and Becky Witt, Fresno State has not been one-dimensional in producing outstanding players.
The outfield will have a different look this season with the graduation of Witt. Senior Tiffany Whipple and sophomore Mitzi Ing return with one year of experience under their belts. Senior Lashme Gomez, junior college transfer Sha Oliver and Selbicky will look to take on a starting role.
Whipple, who started in all 58 games in left field for the Bulldogs last season, takes over in center field and returns as the team's leader in batting, hits, runs and stolen bases after earning second team all-WAC accolades.
"Tiffany will be the anchor in the outfield and will be at the top part of our batting order," Wright said. "Tiffany should be one of the best outfielders in the nation and will have to direct a young crew."
Ing, who started in 57 games in right field, led the team in sacrifices and committed just two errors as a rookie.
"Mitzi will be another staple in the outfield with her accurate throwing arm," Wright said. "It will be a test for teams to score against her."
Gomez appeared in 16 games primarily as a pinch hitter. Oliver, who helped Long Beach City College win the State Championship title in 2001, batted .356 at LBCC and finished among the school's top three in career hits, runs and stolen bases.
"Lashme is a second-year senior who also has been transplanted from the infield during the fall practice season. She has done a great job with the adjustment. Sha will add a punch to our offense as she has become a strong power hitter. Her outfield skills have improved a great deal. Julie could also see some action out there. The key is for them to work together and they should have no problem."
Wrap Up
2002 is a season primed to showcase historic events and accomplishments. 2002 is a year in which Bulldog fans can't wait to see get underway and what lies at the end. 2002 is ready to become another chapter in a book that is working its way to a championship ending.
