Fresno State Athletics
Softball Edged by Hawai'i in WAC's Preseason Poll
1/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 18, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. -
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Despite winning the last four consecutive Western Athletic Conference softball championship titles (five in last six) and collecting the most preseason all-WAC picks, including Pitcher of the Year honors, Hawai'i edged out Fresno State by one point and is favored to capture the 2002 WAC title this spring.
The Bulldogs, who had been the WAC's preseason favorite the past seven years, collected 33 points with three first-place votes and three second-place votes (coaches can not vote for their own team). Hawai'i, which has been the league's runner-up twice, received 34 points with four first-place votes and three second-place votes.
Loyola Marymount (25 points), Portland State (19 points), Tulsa (14 points), WAC newcomer Louisiana Tech (11 points) and San Jose State (11 points) round out the coaches' preseason poll.
Medical redshirt freshman Jamie Southern (Clovis) was named the preseason WAC Pitcher of the Year and was joined by four other Bulldogs on the preseason all-WAC team in junior catcher Pam West (Corona), senior third baseman Lindsay Fossatti (third base), senior outfielder Tiffany Whipple (Fresno) and senior utility player Vanessa Czarnecki (Riverside).
Fresno State opens its 2002 season on the road when the Bulldogs participate in the Fiesta Bowl Tournament in Tempe, Ariz., Feb. 8-10.
Meet the Team activities are set for the 2002 Fresno State softball team. The annual "Meet the Team" Dinner and Silent Auction takes place on Sunday, Jan. 27, 12:00 p.m. at TorNino's. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling 9559) 439-0605. In addition, the Bulldogs will make their annual appearance at Fashion Fair Mall on Saturday, Feb. 2, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
