Fresno State Athletics
No. 16 Softball Participates in Seventh Annual NFCA Leadoff Classic
2/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 19, 2002
FRESNO, Calif.
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Fresno State at Seventh Annual NFCA Leadoff Classic
Fresno State will compete in its third consecutive road tournament this weekend when the Bulldogs travel to Columbus, Ga., for the Seventh Annual NFCA Leadoff Classic, Feb. 22-24. The three-day, 24-team tournament field will showcase 13 preseason Top 25 teams in No. 3 Stanford, No. 4 LSU, No. 7 Oklahoma, No. 8 Arizona State, No. 9 Washington, No. 10 CS Fullerton, No. 11 Michigan, No. 12 Nebraska, No. 13 Alabama, No. 14 Notre Dame, No. 16 Fresno State, No. 18 Oregon State and No. 24 Massachusetts. All three bracket champions return in Stanford (Gold), Fresno State (Silver) and Arizona State (Bronze). The Bulldogs, who are making their fourth consecutive appearance, was the Gold Bracket runner-up in 2000 and Silver Bracket Champion in 2001 and 1999. The tournament consists of six, four-team pools. Following pool play, the top team from each pool, along with two at-large teams, will advance to the Gold Championship Bracket. The remaining four second-place teams along with four at-large teams will be placed in the Silver Championship Bracket and the remaining eight teams will be placed in the Bronze Championship Bracket. All brackets will be single elimination/consolation as each team will play a minimum of five games.
Fresno State Athletics Security
Fresno State has maintained appropriate security measures at all its venues. The most notable change for fans will be security checks at the gates, which include the following: no backpacks, duffel bags, ice chests or large containers, purses, small handbags and thermoses will be subject to search, all cars entering parking lots adjacent to venues as well as vendors are subject to search, increased number of security and venue personnel, no pass outs will be given to allow reentry into the venues, metal detectors will be present at entrances.
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 837-246-1 (.773) mark with the Bulldogs and a 22-year career record of 984-326-3 (.751). Becoming the NCAA's all-time career win leader on March 23, 2000 with a 2-1 victory over CS Northridge, Wright is 16 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 16 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.
Bulldogs Sweep WAC Honors
Senior third baseman Lindsay Fossatti (Tustin) and freshman right-handed pitcher Jamie Southern (Clovis) were named Western Athletic Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, on Monday, Feb. 18.
Fossatti, who garnered her third career WAC Player of the Week accolade, had a pair of multiple-hit games last weekend and was the only Bulldog to have at least one hit in all four games played at the Campbell/Cartier Tournament. In the tourney opener versus No. 23 San Diego State, Fossatti had two of the team's three hits while going 2-3 and notching the game-winning RBI with a two-out single to left field. Against Florida International, Fossatti went 1-1 and was walked twice. Against UC Santa Barbara, Fossatti went 1-2 with one run, one walk and a RBI. Against CS Northridge, Fossatti knocked in the 'Dogs first run with a solo home run (second on year) and went 2-3 with a run, walk and RBI. Recording at least one RBI in four of her last five games, Fossatti has a five-game hitting streak and is batting .769 (10-13) with three runs, double, two home runs, four walks, seven RBI and 17 total bases for a 1.308 slugging percentage. With the four walks picked up, Fossatti is ranked No. 4 all-time in school and WAC history in career walks (81). Tallying her second home run, Fossatti moved into sole possession of seventh place all-time at Fresno State with 11.
Southern went 3-0 for the second straight weekend and recorded three shutout wins, including a 1-0 victory over No. 23 San Diego State. Averaging nearly 11 strikeouts in three games pitched, Southern struck out a career-high 14 against SDSU on a one-hitter and followed that with a 13 strikeout performance on a one-hitter against Florida International in back-to-back starts. The 14 strikeouts was one short of tying the school's single-game record and her bid for a no-hitter versus FIU ended in the seventh with one out. Against UC Santa Barbara, Southern scattered three hits and struck out five. In the tournament, she struck out 32 in 21.0 innings while opponents hit .078 against.
JSo is SO ...
With a 6-0 record on the year that includes eight appearances with six starts and six complete games, Southern has tossed five shutouts and has yielded one run (Bulldog fielding error) while opponents are batting .133 against her. With a 2-0 mark and a save against Top 25 teams in her career, Southern is 8-0 as a Bulldog with seven shutouts and seven complete games in eight starts in 12 career appearances. She has pitched 59.1 innings has given up 22 hits, one run, no earned run, 16 walks and has struck out 74 (8.76 strikeouts 7/IP) for a 0.00 ERA. Southern, who has a career-best 25.0 scoreless innings, has not given up an earned run in her last 59.1 innings.
Greatest Bulldog Freshmen Pitchers
Looking to be the fourth rookie pitcher to notch 20 wins and the eighth to collect at least 10 victories as a freshman, Southern is chasing the likes of Terry Carpenter and Marcie Green. Carpenter holds three rookie marks while Green holds two. Kristen Hunter holds the record for most strikeouts in a rookie season while Carpenter, Hunter and Lindsay Parker were 20-game winners as rookies. Southern already has 56 strikeouts, five shutouts and is 6-0 while winning six straight and has a current streak of three shutout victories.
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.
Perez Swinging Consistent Bat
Sophomore second baseman Pam Perez (Fresno) has helped the Bulldogs to a 6-3 start. Perez is hitting .409 (9-22) with three runs, double, three sacrifices and 10 total bases on the year. With three multiple-hit games, Perez is second to Fossatti in batting, hits and total bases. Hitting safely in six of her last eight games, Perez is hitting .423 (9-21) with three runs, double, two sacrifices and three RBI. Dating back to last season, Perez has hit safely in 11 of her last 15 (.357, 15-42, 5 runs, double, 3 sacrifices, sacrifice fly, 1-1 stolen bases, 4 RBI, 17 total bases, .404 slugging percentage).
Not on Her Watch
Junior catcher Pam West (Corona) led the nation in percentage of runners thrown out with a 74% accuracy after throwing out 20 would-be basestealers (7-27) as a sophomore. This season, only two have swiped a base in five tries for a 60% accuracy (3-5). In her career, West has thrown out 36 would-be basestealers (37-73) for a 49% accuracy.
About NFCA Leadoff Classic Opponents
No. 9 Washington (14-3): Washington is coming off a second place finish and a 3-2 mark at Florida's Hotel and Conference Center Invitational. Losing to Florida in the championship game, the Huskies opened tourney play with a wins over Tennessee-Chattanooga (6-1) and Hofstra (6-0) before losing two of their final three (L 3-2, Florida, W 9-1 in five inn., Tennessee-Chattanooga, L 6-5, Florida). UW opened the year with a 10-0 mark before Florida handed the Huskies their first loss (9-4). Including that loss, Washington is 4-3 in its last seven. Washington, which is the only multiple champion in NFCA Leadoff Classic tournament history, returns six starters from a 40-23 team that advanced to NCAA Regional play last year. Sophomore outfielder Rita Roach leads the team with a .405 (20-43) average while junior shortstop Jaime Clark is tops in RBI (19), doubles (6) and home runs (3) while batting .370 (20-54) and scoring 15 runs.
Boston University (1-3):
Boston University opened its season last weekend at North Carolina's Triangle Classic. The Terriers posted a 1-3 worksheet after dropping decisions to Minnesota (2-0) and UNC (3-2, 8 inn.) on the first day while splitting their final two (W 4-3, 10 inn., Temple, L 5-2, UNC-Greensboro). Boston University returns five starters from a 34-17 squad .
Penn State (2-3):
Penn State also opened its season last weekend at Florida State's Seminole Classic. The Nittany Lions went 2-3 with victories over Syracuse (3-2) and St. John's (6-0) and losses to Florida State (4-0), Georgia (3-0) and Maryland (5-1). Penn State returns five starters from a 34-28 team that advanced to NCAA Regional play last year. Junior outfield/third baseman Jackie Dabrowski is hitting a team-best .273 (3-11).
2002 Fresno State Softball Notebook
Sr., 1B/2B, Vanessa Czarnecki
Has one multiple-hit game ... has turned two double plays ... in career, is tied for No. 5 in school history in career sacrifices (46) ... 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
Has four multiple-hit games & one multiple-RBI ... has a current five-game hit streak & is batting .769 (10-13) with three runs, double, two home runs, four walks, seven RBI, 14 total bases, 1.308 slug pct. ... has two home runs on year & moves into sole possession of seventh place all-time at FS (11) ... tied career high in hits with 4 vs. Texas Tech (4-4, R, 4 RBI, double, home run) ... has turned three of team's four double plays ... in career, ranks No. 4 in walks at Fresno State & WAC (81) ... 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 ... 3x WAC Player of the Week ...1999 all-West Region.
So., DP/LHP, Lori Hoffman
Has two multiple-hit games ... has season-best two-game hit streak & batted .750 (3-4, run, RBI, double, 4 total bases) ... at the plate, went 3-3 vs. Wisconsin for her first multiple-hit game ... in the circle, has made two appearances with one start & one relief (0-1, lost 2-0 loss at #8 Arizona State) ...in career, has 13 appearances vs. Top 25 teams with seven starts ... owns Top 25 wins over #11 DePaul, #15 Oregon State, #8 CS Fullerton ... first collegiate start vs. #11 DePaul (W 2-1) ... career-best streaks of 25.0 scoreless IP & without an earned run ... has career-best six-game hit streak & batted .471 (8-17, 4 RBI, 2 BB, two doubles, triple).
Fr., SS, Leticia "LT" Pacheco
Has one multiple RBI game ... had game-winning hit against #5 Cal to open the year ... has been hit by pitch, twice.
So., 2B/LF, Pam Perez
Has three multiple-hit games & one multiple RBI ... has a season-best four-game hit streak & batted (.700, 7-10, R, 2 RBI, SH) ... has turned two double plays ... second on team in batting (.409, 9-22), hits (9) & total bases (10) ... dating back to last season, has hit safely in 11 of her last 15 (.357, 15-42, 5 runs, double, 3 sacrifices, sacrifice fly, 1-1 stolen bases, 4 RBI, 17 total bases, .404 slugging percentage).
Jr., RHP, Leslie Poole
Is 0-1 on year in two starts with a 7.00 ERA ... looking for first complete game ... in career, has 47.2 scoreless IP streak ... career-best six strikeouts in a game ... has two one-hitters, three two-hitters & two three-hitters in career... 3x WAC Pitcher of the Week ... 2001 Fresno State Scholar-Athlete ... 2001 second team all-WAC.
Fr., RHP/1B, Jamie Southern
In the circle, is 6-0 in six starts with five shutouts and 56 strikeouts in 47.1 IP for a 0.00 ERA ... averaging 8.32 strikeouts a game ... is 1-0 vs. Top 25 teams (W 1-0 vs. #5 Cal) ... has season-best streak of 25.0 scoreless IP ... has yieled one run via Bulldog fielding error ... had a streak of three consecutive games with 10+ strikeouts & averaged 13.0 strikeouts a game in that span (39 in 21.0 IP) ... has season- & career-best 14 strikeouts vs. #23 San Diego State ... has one multiple-hit game ... has current two-game hit streak & is batting .285 (2-7, run, double) ... two-time WAC Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 11 & 18) ... has turned two double plays ... dating back to last season, has won all eight starts (8-0) with seven shutouts & seven complete games in eight starts in 12 career appearances ... has pitched 59.1 innings & has yielded 22 hits, 1 run, 0 earned run, 16 walks and has struck out 74 (8.76 strikeouts 7/IP) for a 0.00 ERA.
Jr., C, Pam West
Has one multiple-hit game ... has season-best three game hit streak & batted .500 (4-8, RBI) ... behind the dish, only two have swiped a base in five tries for a 60% accuracy (3-5) ... in last two seasons, has thrown out 23 for a 72% accuracy (9-32) ... led nation in percentage of runners thrown out (74%, 7-27) by catching 20 ... in career, has thrown out 36 would-be basestealers (37-73) for a 49% accuracy ... has career-best five-game hit streak & batted .500 (6-12, 2 R, 3 RBI, 3 BB, HBP) ... 2002 preseason all-WAC ... 2x Fresno State Scholar-Athlete ... 2000 WAC all-Academic.
Sr., CF, Tiffany Whipple
Has one multiple-hit game ... has season-best three game hit streak & batted .500 (4-8, 3 R, 2 BB, 3-3 SB) ... 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.
Fr., RHP, Amanda Wolf
Has two relief appearances versus #10 CS Fullerton & CS Northridge ... has season-best four strikeouts vs. CS Northridge ... has tossed 3.2 innings & has given up three hits, two runs, two earned run, two walks, two hit by pitch & has struck out five for a 3.82 ERA.
