Fresno State Athletics
No. 16 Softball Travels to Campbell/Cartier Tournament
2/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 11, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. -
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Bulldogs to Defend Title at Campbell/Cartier Tournament
Fresno State will compete in its second consecutive tournament when the Bulldogs travel to San Diego for the 12th Annual Campbell/Cartier Tournament. Winning the tournament title last year with a 5-0 mark and being the only school in the tournament's history to go undefeated, Fresno State will defend its title this week against the likes of host and 23rd-ranked San Diego State (6:00 p.m.) and Florida International (8:30 p.m.) on Friday, Feb. 15, UC Santa Barbara (6:00 p.m.) and CS Northridge (8:30 p.m.) on Saturday and Utah State on Sunday (12:00 p.m.). The Campbell/Cartier softball tournament honors the memory of two former Aztec softball players who lost their lives in a car accident during the 1991 season (Susanne Campbell and Karin Cartier). The tournament was formerly called the SDSU Spring Classic but was renamed in 1994. Looking to become the third school to capture multiple Campbell/Cartier tourney titles and the second to repeat, Fresno State won its first Campbell/Cartier Tournament crown last season after finishing second to Stanford in 2000 (both schools went 4-1 but the Cardinal won the tie-breaker based on runs scored).
1,100th Victory & Season-Opening Win Highlight Weekend
The 2002 Fresno State softball season will be dotted with historic milestones. Celebrating 25 years as a program this year, the 2002 Bulldogs captured the program's 1,100th win when they notched a 7-1 victory over Texas Tech on Feb. 10. Fresno State, which opened its season with a 3-2 record at the Arizona State's Fiesta Bowl Tournament last weekend, improved to 17-8 in season openers when the Bulldogs upset No. 5 California, 1-0. The Bulldogs also improved to 13-4 under 17th-year head coach Margie Wright in season openers.
Head Coach Margie Wright
In her 17th season as 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 15 years. As only the second NCAA Division I coach to amass 900 or more Division I career wins, she owns an impressive 834-245-1 (.773) mark with the Bulldogs and a 22-year career record of 981-325-3 (.751). Becoming the NCAA's all-time career win leader on March 23, 2000 with a 2-1 victory over CS Northridge, Wright is 19 victories shy of being the first NCAA Division I coach to accumulate 1,000 Division I wins. Having directed the Bulldogs to the WCWS 10 times since 1986, the eight-time conference coach of the year has collected 12 outright or shared conference titles, a WAC tournament championship, 10 regional championship crowns and 16 straight NCAA postseason appearances. With a NCAA title and three national runner-up trophies to her credit, Wright is the only coach in program history to garner region coach of the year honors (seven times) and is the third head coach overall at Fresno State to garner National Coach of the Year accolades (1998). Boasting a 403-72 (.848) home field record, Wright has averaged 52 wins a year and has coached 44 All-Americans and 12 Verizon Academic All-Americans. An assistant coach for the 1996 USA Olympic softball gold medal team, Wright also helped the USA Softball National Team to a gold medal at the 1998 ISF World Championships.
1,000th NCAA Division I Win Up Next
Wright has recorded momentous milestones since becoming the program's third head coach in 1986. Recording career victories No. 200 through No. 900 at Fresno State, Wright became the NCAA's all-time winningest Division I coach with win No. 914 on March 23, 2000 (2-1 vs. CS Northridge). The 1998 National Coach of the Year entered the 2002 season 22 wins shy of being the first-ever NCAA Division I head coach to record 1,000 NCAA Division I victories and now sits 19 shy of the historic mark. On the Division I level, only two head coaches (Wright and Judi Garman) have collected 900 or more fastpitch victories. Also, Wright is the lone active Division I coach to have collected 900 victories. Overall, only three head coaches, regardless of Division, have posted at least 900 fastpitch wins: Wright (978-323-3), Sandy Jerstad of Augustana (918-320-2) and Garman of CS Fullerton (913-374-4).
Fresno State Softball Celebrates Silver Anniversary
Celebrating 25 years of winning tradition will ring throughout the 2002 season for the Fresno State softball program. Recognized as a cornerstone of softball excellence since their inception, the Bulldogs boast a heritage that is hard pressed to be found elsewhere. A tradition that is held in high esteem, Fresno State softball demand for excellence has not only delivered the first national title to the university but has produced unparalleled success both on the field and in the classroom.
Southern Named WAC Pitcher of the Week
Freshman right-handed pitcher Jamie Southern (Clovis) was named Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday, Feb. 11. Southern won all three starts and recorded two shutout wins, including a 1-0 victory over #5 Cal in the Bulldogs' season opener. Southern struck out 24 (6.44 strikeouts per 7/IP) as opponents batted .138 against her. She also struck out a career-high 12 batters against Texas Tech after setting down nine against Iowa State in the Bulldogs' season and her collegiate opener last season. Against Cal, Southern tossed a four-hitter and threw 152 pitches while only being given 20 called strikes while being penalized for 10 walks. Against #10 CS Fullerton, Southern came in as the fourth pitcher in relief and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings while walking one and striking out two. Against Wisconsin, Southern went the distance again and tossed a two-hit shutout and struck out five. Against #8 Arizona State, Southern made her second relief appearance and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings and gave up three hits and struck out two. In the tourney finale versus Texas Tech, Southern tossed a three-hitter, walked one and struck out a career-high 12.
Count It
Dating back to last season before injuring her right shoulder in the fourth game of the year, Southern has won all five starts (5-0), has four shutouts, four complete games, and one save in nine appearances. She has pitched 38.1 innings and has given up 17 hits, 1 run, 0 earned runs, 14 walks and 42 strikeouts (7.72 strikeouts 7/IP) for a 0.00 ERA. Dating back to last season, Southern's scoreless innings pitched streak was snapped at 25.0 after the Bulldogs allowed a runner to score via a fielding error against Texas Tech. Southern has not given up an earned run in her last 38.1 innings.
Perez Swinging Consistent Bat
Sophomore second baseman Pam Perez (Fresno) helped the Bulldogs to a 3-2 mark at the ASU Fiesta Bowl Tournament. Opening the season against three Top 10 teams, Perez led the team in batting (.636, 7-11), hits (7) and sacrifices (2). Recording three multiple-hit games in her last four, Perez was the only Bulldog to hit safely in four of the five games played and has a current four-game hitting streak (.700, 7-10, R, 2 RBI, SH). Defensively, she helped turn one double play versus #5 California and went 0-1 with a sacrifice. Against #10 CS Fullerton, Perez went 2-3 with 2 RBI. Versus Wisconsin, Perez went 2-3 with a run. Against #8 ASU, Perez was the only Bulldog to get a hit after going 1-1 with a sacrifice. Against Texas Tech, Perez went 2-3. Dating back to the end of last season, Perez has hit safely in nine of her last 11 and is batting .419 (13-31, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1-1 SB, SF, 2 SH, 14 TB, .452 slug pct.). In addition, Perez has hit safely in 12 of last 16 and is batting .355 (16-45, 3 R, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 1-1 SB, HBP, SF, 2 SH, 16 TB, .356 slug pct.).
ASU Fiesta Bowl Tournament Highlights
Senior third baseman Lindsay Fossatti (Tustin) hit her first home on the season with a two-out two-run shot against Texas Tech. That marked Fossatti's 10th career home run and moves her into seventh place all-time at Fresno State ... Fossatti was the second hottest hitter after batting .353 (6-17) with two runs, double, home run, five RBI, 10 total bases and a .588 slugging percentage. Fossatti went 4-4 with a run, double, home run and 4 RBI against Texas Tech ... The three double plays turned against #5 Cal in the season opener was one short of tying the school record of 4 vs. Pacific (1989) ... Fresno State tied for third place with six other schools at the ASU Fiesta Bowl with a 3-2 mark (#1 Arizona, #8 ASU, #10 CS Fullerton, #24 UMass, Kansas and Wisconsin) ... #2 UCLA and Mississippi State shared top honors (5-0) while #12 Nebraska finished second (4-1) ... Freshman shortstop Leticia Pacheco (Bloomington) had the game-winning hit against #5 Cal with a two-out RBI single.
National Rankings
Fresno State softball has been no stranger to the national polls. Nationally ranked every week for 163 consecutive weeks since the NCAA's first Top 15 poll in 1983, the Bulldogs have been in the nation's Top 20 for 20 straight years. In addition, they have been in the Top 10 for 148 weeks. 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. Since March 29, 1988, the 'Dogs have been the top-ranked team five times, ranked second 35 times, ranked third 32 times, and ranked fourth 20 times. The Fresno State softball program's five No. 1 rankings is the most ever by a Bulldog athletic team.
About Campbell/Cartier Opponents
No. 23 San Diego State (4-5):
San Diego State is coming off a 1-3 record in its own Aztec Invitational. SDSU dropped a pair to Hawai'i (4-3, 4-0) and split with Missouri (2-4, 4-3). The Aztecs, who opened the season with a 3-2 worksheet, are 0-2 against the Top 25 teams this season. Earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament last year, senior outfielder Kellie Nordhagen is batting a team-high .333 (9-27) with four runs, two RBI and 11 total bases. In the circle, sophomore right-hander Jessi Green is 2-1 with one shutout and six strikeouts in 20.2 innings for a 0.34 ERA.
Florida International (6-5):
Florida International picked up an invitational win at the GRU Classic, hosted by Florida. The Golden Panthers went 4-1 with victories over South Florida (6-4) and Florida (4-0, 5-0) and recorded a split with North Carolina (2-3, 6-0). FIU, which started up a fastpitch program in 1998, is being led offensively by senior catcher Sabrina Smith (.360, 9-25) with two runs, two doubles, three RBI and sophomore first baseman/third baseman Jennifer Owens (.333, 13-39) with four runs, two doubles and six RBI. In the circle, freshman left-hander Amanda Nealer is 3-2 with two shutouts, 1 save and 13 strikeouts in 28.0 innings for a 0.50 ERA.
UC Santa Barbara (6-4):
UC Santa Barbara posted a 2-3 tournament record at the Cal Poly Mustang Roundup. The Gauchos opened play with a 4-0 win over Southern Utah, dropped games to Cal Poly (5-1) and Southwest Missouri State (6-0) and wrapped up its final two games with a win over Colorado State (9-0) and a loss to Santa Clara (1-0). Senior infielder Julia Tamai is batting a team-best .393 (11-28) with five runs and four RBI. Junior outfielder Ashley Groefsema is right behind, hitting .391 (9-23) with five runs and a RBI. In the circle, junior right-hander Sylvia Santos is 2-0 with one shutout and 10 strikeouts in 16.2 innings for a 2.16 ERA.
CS Northridge (5-5):
CS Northridge, which received votes in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Top 25 preseason poll, is coming off a 2-3 record in its own Tournament of Champions. With a 0-2 mark versus Top 25 teams this season, the Matadors defeated McNeese State (9-1) and University of San Diego (9-0) while dropping games to Ohio State (4-2) and #18 Oregon State (1-0, 3-2). Sophomore outfielder/first baseman Christen Bedwell is hitting .441 (15-34) with five runs, two doubles, home run and nine RBI. In the circle, freshman right-hander Kia Fennell is 2-3 with one shutout and 23 strikeouts in 29.1 innings for a 1.43 ERA.
Utah State (0-5):
Utah State opened its season last weekend and went 0-5 at the ASU Fiesta Bowl Tournament. The Aggies went 11-39 in 2001 and return seven starters. Utah State is 0-3 against the Top 25 teams this season after dropping games to #8 Arizona State, #17 Southwest Texas State and #2 UCLA.
2002 Bulldog Notebook
Sr., UT, Vanessa Czarnecki
Last season, had a five-game hit streak (.429, 6-14, 3 R, RBI, 3 BB, 1-1 SB, 2 SH, 6 TB) ... had seven multiple-hit performances & three multiple RBI games ... turned 14 double plays ... in career, tied for No. 7 in school history in career sacrifices (45) ... 2002 preseason all-WAC ... 7x Deans List ... 3x WAC all-Academic, WAC Scholar-Athlete &Fresno State Scholar-Athlete ... 2001 NFCA Scholar-Athlete.
Sr., 3B, Lindsay Fossatti
Hit first home run on year vs. Texas Tech ... tied her career high in hits with 4 vs. Texas Tech (4-4, R, 4 RBI, double, home run) ... has two multiple-hit games on year ... last season, led WAC in RBI ... had 12 multiple-hit games & team-high seven multiple RBI games ...led team in RBI (33) & walks (29) ... hit first career grand slam vs. Arizona ... hit a pair of home runs and season-best nine total bases against Georgia (first career multi home run game) ... had career-high 5 RBI vs. Georgia ... stole first collegiate base against UC Riverside ... season-high seven-game hit streak (.545, 12-22, 3 R, 2 RBI, double, walk, 1-1 stolen base, 13 TB) ... turned four double plays ... in career, ranks No. 6 in walks at Fresno State & WAC ... also ranks No. 8 in career home runs (9) at FS ... 2002 preseason all-WAC ... 2001 NCAA Tournament all-regional ... 2001 Verizon Academic All-American ... 2001 Harold Haak Scholarship ... 2001 NFCA Scholar-Athlete ... 3x first team all-WAC ... 3x WAC all-academic, WAC Scholar-Athlete & Fresno State Scholar-Athlete ...7x time Deans List ... 4x Presidential List (4.0 GPA) ... Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society ... 2x WAC Player of the Week ...1999 all-West Region.
So., LHP, Lori Hoffman
Has made two relief appearances and is 0-1 on year after suffering a 2-0 loss to #8 Arizona State ... at the plate, went 3-3 vs. Wisconsin for her first multiple-hit game ... last season led WAC in ERA ... in WAC, gave up four runs (two earned), 14 strikeouts & seven walks in 48.1 IP for a 0.29 ERA and a 5-1 league mark ... opened WAC season with a streak of 25.0 scoreless IP ... had 12 appearances vs. Top 25 teams with six starts ... owned Top 25 wins over #11 DePaul, #15 Oregon State, #8 CS Fullerton ... first collegiate start vs. #11 DePaul (W 2-1) ... made second start vs. Oregon State & got first shutout (2-0) ... season-high seven strikeouts vs. #4 Stanford ... season-best streaks of 25.0 scoreless IP & without an earned run ... went 11-10 on year with six shutouts, 58 strikeouts & 1.17 ERA in 31 appearances ... led team in doubles (12) & second in RBI (29) ... had nine multiple-hit games & six multiple RBI games ... had a six-game hit streak & batted .471 (8-17, 4 RBI, 2 BB, two doubles, triple).
So., IF, Pam Perez
Leads the team in batting (.636, 7-11), hits (7) and sacrifices (2) ... has three multiple-hit games ... has hit safely in four of the five games played ... has a current four-game hitting streak (.700, 7-10, R, 2 RBI, SH) ... has hit safely in nine of her last 11 and is batting .419 (13-31, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1-1 SB, SF, 2 SH, 14 TB, .452 slug pct.) ... has hit safely in 12 of last 16 and is batting .355 (16-45, 3 R, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 1-1 SB, HBP, SF, 2 SH, 16 TB, .356 slug pct.)... last year ended WAC season with a three-game hit streak (.444, 4-9, run, RBI, 1-1 stolen base, SF).
Jr., RHP, Leslie Poole
Last year, one of two pitchers in WAC to tally 20 victories ... went 20-7 with 11 shutouts, 85 strikeouts & 1.35 ERA in 187.0 IP ... threw five consecutive shutout wins (including a 1-0 win vs. #4 Stanford) ... season-best streak of 47.2 scoreless IP ... season-best six strikeouts ... had two one-hitters, three two-hitters & two three-hitters ... 3x WAC Pitcher of the Week ... 2001 Fresno State Scholar-Athlete ... 2001 second team all-WAC.
Fr., RHP, Jamie Southern
WAC Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 11) ... is 3-0 with two shutouts and 24 strikeouts in 26.1 innings for a 0.00 ERA ... posted season- and career-high 12 strikeouts vs. Texas Tech ... dating back to last season, has won all five starts (5-0), has four shutouts, four complete games, and one save in nine appearances ... has pitched 38.1 innings and has given up 17 hits, 1 run, 0 earned runs, 14 walks and 42 strikeouts (7.72 strikeouts 7/IP) for a 0.00 ERA ... has career-best 25.0 scoreless innings pitched streak ... has a current streak of 38.1 innings without an earned run.
Jr., C, Pam West
In last two seasons, has thrown out 21 runners (8-29) for a 72% accuracy ... last year led nation in percentage of runners thrown out with 20 (74%, 7-27) ... the seven stolen bases are the fewest ever given up ... the 20 would-be basestealers thrown out is the third-best mark in school history ... had one pick off ... turned two double plays ... had a five-game hit streak & batted .500 (6-12, 2 R, 3 RBI, 3 BB, HBP) ... had four multiple hit games & one multiple RBI game ... 2002 preseason all-WAC ... 2x Fresno State Scholar-Athlete ... 2000 WAC all-Academic.
Sr., CF, Tiffany Whipple
Bulldogs' returning leader in batting, hits, runs, and stolen bases ... finished second on team in batting (.333), hits (59), runs (40), & multiple-hit games (16) ... season-high nine-game hit streak (.452, 14-31, 9 R, double, 3 RBI, BB, HBP, SF, SH, 4-4 SB, 15 TB, .484 slug pct.) ... ended WAC play with a five-game hit streak & batted .429 (6-14) with five runs, double, triple, RBI, walk, sacrifice, 1-1 stolen base & nine total bases ... 2002 preseason all-WAC ... WAC Player of the Week ... 2002 Deans List ... 2000 Fresno State Scholar-Athlete & WAC all-Academic... 2001 NFCA Scholar-Athlete ... 2001 second team all-WAC.
