Fresno State Athletics
No. 13 Softball Hosts Hedrick's Hallowell Chevrolet Classic
3/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 4, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. -
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Fresno State Hosts Hedrick's Hallowell Chevrolet Classic
Fresno State hosts its fifth annual tournament this week with the Hedrick's Hallowell Chevrolet Classic, Thursday-Sunday, March 7-10, at Bulldog Diamond. The four-day, seven-team tournament field will feature Baylor, Boston University, Cal Poly, Fresno State, Indiana, San Diego State and Tennessee Tech. Since its inception in 1998, 25 teams will have participated in this tournament. Not including Fresno State, two teams are making return trips: Cal Poly and Indiana. In the tournament, Cal Poly is making its third appearance and has compiled a 5-7 record with one third place finish. Indiana is making its second appearance and has compiled a 1-3 mark. Fresno State, which owns an 18-4 mark in classic action, has captured two titles (1998, 2000) while posting a runner-up finish and a third place finish. Tournament passes and single-day passes are available at the Bulldog Ticket Office (559-278-DOGS) or may be purchased on-line at www.gobulldogs.com. Daily results of the Hedrick's Hallowell Chevrolet Classic will be posted on the softball page of www.gobulldogs.com by clicking on the tournament logo.
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 847-248-1 (.774) mark with the Bulldogs and a 22-year career record of 994-328-3 (.751). Becoming the NCAA's all-time career win leader on March 23, 2000 with a 2-1 victory over CS Northridge, Wright is six 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 409-72 (.850) all-time home field record and a 180-25 (.878) mark at the "new" Bulldog Diamond since 1996, 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.
Wright Six Shy of Setting NCAA in History
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 six shy of the historic mark. She also is looking to be just the 25th head coach on the Division I level, regardless of sport, to post 1,000 Division I victories. In softball, 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.
JSo is SO ...
With an 11-2 record on the year that includes 16 appearances with 13 starts and 13 complete games, freshman right-hander Jamie Southern (Clovis) has thrown eight shutouts, a perfect game, set a single-game school record in strikeouts (19) and picked up a save while opponents are batting .119 against her for a 0.26 ERA. Tallying 10-plus strikeouts in eight of her last 11 starts for an average of 9.93 strikeouts per 7/IP (122 strikeouts in 86.0 IP), Southern has totaled 136 strikeouts in 106.1 innings for an average of 8.97 strikeouts per game. In her career, Southern is 3-2 with a save against the Top 25. She owns a 13-2 career mark that includes one save, nine shutouts with 14 complete games in 15 starts and 20 appearances. Southern has pitched 118.1 innings and has yielded 47 hits, seven runs, four earned runs, 30 walks while striking out 154 (9.13 strikeouts 7/IP) for a 0.24 ERA.
Hedrick's Hallowell Chevrolet Classic Opponents
Cal Poly (11-6):
Cal Poly is coming off a home doubleheader sweep over Saint Mary's (7-0, 5-0) last weekend ... The Mustangs have their last three and five of the their last six ... Cal Poly is led offensively by junior infielder Holly Ballard, who is batting .407 (22-54) with seven runs, four doubles, a home run, nine walks and nine RBI ... In the circle, senior right-hander Terra Blankenbecler leads the staff with a 2-1 mark with 11 strikeouts and one shutout in 22.0 innings for a 1.64 ERA.
Baylor (24-4):
Baylor is coming of a 1-2 mark in its won Compass Bank Invitational with losses to Wisconsin (2-1) and Tennessee-Chattanooga (1-0) before posting a victory over Illinois (1-0) ... The Lady Bears, who had a 13-game win streak halted by UW, have won 14 of their last 16 ... Baylor is led offensively by sophomore catcher Danelle Arnold, who is batting .364 (24-66) with 14 runs, three doubles, a triple, three home runs and 15 RBI ... In the circle, junior right-hander Joni Miller is 10-2 wih three shutouts, two saves and 72 strikeouts in 82.1 innings for a 0.68 ERA.
Boston University (3-9):
Boston University posted a 1-4 mark at the NFCA Leadoff Classic before traveling to Santa Clara this past Sunday ... The Terriers earned a split with the Broncos (2-1, 3-4 in 9 inn.) ... BU will play Saint Mary's in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday before coming to Fresno ... Going into this week's action, freshman shortstop Jamie Haas was hitting .357 (10-28) with two runs, a triple and 12 total bases ... In the circle, junior right-hander Robyn Horrick leads the staff with a 1-2 mark (26 strikeouts, 31.0 innings pitched, 1.35 ERA).
Indiana (1-3-1):
Indiana last played Feb. 22-24 in the South Florida Tournament ... The Hoosiers opened the year at the New Mexico Diamond Invitational ... With two games cancelled, Indiana tied host New Mexico (2-2) before winning one from the Lobos (5-4) and then dropped a 9-1 decision to Mississippi ... At the USF Tournament, three games were cancelled ... The Hoosiers played two, however, and suffered losses to South Florida (9-0, 6 inn.) and Coastal Carolina (6-2).
Tennessee Tech (6-5):
Tennessee Tech is coming off a 1-1 worksheet at the Frost Cutlery Tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn. ... The Golden Eagles, who are 4-2 in their last six, are led by junior right-hander/infielder LeeAnne Mongar ... Mongar is batting .438 (14-32) with seven runs, four doubles, three home runs, six walks and 13 RBI ... In the circle, sophomore right-hander Lori Bayless is 4-2 with two shutouts and 32 strikeouts in 36.2 innings for a 0.95 ERA.
San Diego State (12-11-1):
San Diego State, which is participating in its sixth straight tournament of the season, notched a 3-2 mark at the Worth Invitational in Fullerton, Calif., last weekend ... The Aztecs upset No. 11 Oregon State (1-0) and dropped a 5-4 decision to No. 6 Cal to open tourney play ... SDSU then collected wins over San Jose State (4-3) and Portland State (4-1) before losing one to Ohio State (3-1) ... With a 6-4 mark in its last 10 games, San Diego State is spearheaded by senior second baseman Sarah Hershman ... Hershman is batting .377 (26-96) with nine runs, five doubles, a triple, six walks and nine RBI ... In the circle, freshman right-hander Bre DeSanta (1-5, 44 strikeouts, 2.11 ERA, 47.0 innings pitched) and junior right-hander Jessi Green (4-2, 16 strikeouts, 2.25 ERA, 44.0 innings pitched) lead the way.
National Rankings
Fresno State softball has been no stranger to the national polls. Nationally ranked every week for 165 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.
More Than Defensive Prowess
Junior catcher Pam West (Corona) hit a team-best .429 (9-21), scored two runs, had a double, was walked, had a sacrifice fly and knocked in four Bulldogs as Fresno State went 6-0 this past week ... In the doubleheader sweep over No. 10 Pacific, West batted .444 (4-9) with a run, a double, three RBI, a walk and had five total bases for a .556 slugging percentage ... West also was the only Bulldog to collect two hits in each game against Pacific ... In game one vs. the Tigers, West had the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 15th inning with a one-out RBI double to right center after going 2-7 with a RBI while recording 17 putouts behind the dish ... In the night cap, West went 2-2 with a run, a walk and had two RBI ... In the doubleheader against Santa Clara, West batted .571 (4-7) with a run and four total bases ... West recorded multiple-hit games for the fourth consecutive game after going 2-4 in game one and 2-3 with a run in game two against the Broncos ... In the doubleheader against UC Riverside, West hit .200 (1-5) but had a RBI and a sacrifice fly ... In game one, West put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard first with a sac fly in the bottom of the fifth ... She also caught the perfect game thrown by Jamie Southern ... In game two, West went 1-3 ... West had a four-game hit streak snapped in game one vs. UC Riverside ... Against No. 10 Pacific and Santa Clara, West recorded four straight multiple-hit games after going 8-16 (.500) with two runs, three RBI, double, a walk and nine total bases for a .563 slugging percentage.
Team Notables
Senior third baseman Lindsay Fossatti (Tustin) had her 13-game hit streak (Feb. 10-27) snapped against Santa Clara ... A streak that ties for No. 8 all-time at Fresno State, Fossatti batted .475(19-40) with four runs, two doubles, triple, two home runs, eight walks, seven RBI and 29 total bases for a .725 slugging percentage ... Picking up five walks in six games last week, Fossatti has 91 career walks and moves up to No. 3 all-time in WAC and school history ... The WAC's career mark in walks is 97 by former Bulldog Angela Cervantez (1997-2000) ... The Bulldogs have played 10 Top 25 teams in their first 17 games ... Fresno State is 6-4 versus the Top 25 this season ... Fresno State has recorded 10 shutout victories in its 16 wins on the year ... Fresno State improved to 21-4 all-time in home openers and 14-3 under Wright ... Of the 10 perfect games recorded in Fresno State softball history, six have come at home ... The last perfect game thrown at home was March 29, 1996 by All-American Lindsay Parker (9-0 vs. Cal) and the last perfect game thrown overall was March 12, 1999 by four-time First Team All-American Amanda Scott (10-0 vs. Miami-Ohio) ... Freshman right-hander Amanda Wolf (Elgin, Texas) recorded her first college win via a shutout victory in the Bulldogs' 4-0 win over Santa Clara ... Junior right-hander Leslie Poole (Rootstown, Ohio) picked up her fourth consecutive win and first shutout after picking up a 1-0 win over UC Riverside ... Going 3-0 in her last three starts and picking up a win in relief, Poole has given up just two runs (both earned) in her last 22.0 innings with 14 strikeouts for a 0.64 ERA ... Senior center fielder Tiffany Whipple (Fresno) hit .429 (9-21) with five runs, three walks, sacrifice fly, 2-2 stolen bases, two RBI and nine total bases this past week ... Whipple has a current six-game hitting streak and is batting .429 (9-21, 5 runs, 3 walks, SF, 2-2 SB, 2 RBI, 9 TB) ... Southern also has a current six-game hitting streak and is batting .348 (8-23, 5 runs, triple, home run, 2 RBI, 2 walks, SF, 13 TB) ... The Bulldog pitching staff was stingy over the past six games ... Collectively they went 6-0 with four shutouts and 51 strikeouts while yielding two runs (one earned)... Fresno State set a new single-game record for most strikeouts with 19 vs. Pacific (old record was 18 vs. Tulsa, April 10, 1999).
Southern Take 4
Southern picked up her fourth straight Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honor on March 4. As the first pitcher in WAC history to garner four consecutive pitcher of the week accolades, Southern had a stellar home debut. Pitching for the first time as a Bulldog at Bulldog Diamond, Southern went 3-0, threw a perfect game (10th in school history and 52nd no-hitter in school history) - second known perfect game in college softball this season -, set a single-game school record in strikeouts (19 vs. No. 10 Pacific), hit her first collegiate home run (vs. No. 10 Pacific) and picked up her first collegiate save. Making her home debut against No. 10 Pacific, Southern threw all 15 innings and struck out 19 in the Bulldogs' 2-1 victory. Southern scattered nine hits, gave up one run (unearned) and walked five while facing 56 batters. Helping herself, Southern hit her first collegiate home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game at 1-1. The 19 strikeouts recorded broke a 20-year old record held by All-American Wende Ward (17 in 14 inn. versus Cal Poly, 1983). Against Santa Clara, Southern tossed a three-hitter, walked three and struck out six in the Bulldogs' 7-0 victory as she notched her seventh shutout in 10 win. Against UC Riverside, Southern faced the minimum 21 batters, struck out 10 and tallied her eighth shutout in 11 wins in her perfect game performance as the Bulldogs posted a 2-0 win. In the night cap, Southern recorded her first collegiate save in the 'Dogs 1-0 victory. On the week in four appearances, Southern averaged 8.63 strikeouts a game while opponents batted .119 against. At the plate, she hit .348 (8-23) with a five runs, triple, home run, two walk, sacrifice fly, and two RBI while notching 13 total bases as well as owning a current six-game hitting streak.
Earning Your Top 25 Keep
Fresno State is 16-5 on the young season with a starting line up that features as many as seven underclassmen. Of the first 17 games played, 10 have come against Top 25 teams with eight against the Top 10 alone and three versus the Top Five. The Bulldogs' strength of schedule has Fresno State battling against the nation's best. All five losses have come via two runs or less with three of those being one-run losses. Four of the losses were to Top 10 teams. Despite all the number crunching, the fact remains that Fresno State is 6-4 against the Top 25. In its first 21 games overall, Fresno State has played 10 Top 25 teams.
Pencil In These Dates
Celebrating 25 years of winning tradition, Fresno State will recognize its softball alumni in a special ceremony on Sunday, April 6. For more information and details, contact Hilda Fong (1978 team) at (559) 278-6833. April 6 is also Girl Scout Day at Bulldog Diamond. Fresno State will also honor the Valley's best young softball players with ASA Day on Saturday, April 13. For more information and details on Girl Scout Day and ASA Day, contact the Fresno State Marketing Office at (559) 244-2800.
Jenny Eller Challenge
Fresno State, in cooperation with the Central California Blood Center, is giving fans a break at the gates with a $2 off coupon good for regular-season home games beginning Feb. 27 through May 4. Give a break -- donate blood at any location in the Central Valley.
Lunch with Margie
Four dates have already been penciled in on the Diamond Club's calendar to have "Lunch with Margie" at the Silver Dollar Hofbrau. Beginning at 12:00 p.m., Wright will share her thoughts on the team and opponents as well as do a question and answer session with fans once a month during the season. The remaining dates are March 11, April 8 and May 6.
Need a Lift?
Three bus trips are being offered this season to follow the Fresno State softball team during the year. The bus tours will stop at UCLA (March 25), Stanford (April 2) and San Jose State (May 11). Prices range from $41 to $49 per person, depending on the trip chosen. Prices do not include tickets. For more information, phone (559) 225-3164.
Five Bulldogs Pick Up Preseason All-WAC Honors
For the first time in Western Athletic Conference softball history, the league office announced a preseason softball team for 2002. Fresno State came away well represented as the Bulldogs had the most preseason all-conference picks (five) as well as boasting the preseason WAC Pitcher of the Year. 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 (Tustin), senior outfielder Tiffany Whipple (Fresno) and senior utility player Vanessa Czarnecki (Riverside).
2002 Fresno State Softball Notebook
Sr., 1B/2B, Vanessa Czarnecki
Has two multiple-hit games ... has turned three double plays ... in career, tied for No. 3 in career sacrifices (53) at FS & ranks No. 6 in WAC history ... has a modest two-game hit streak & is batting .400 (2-5) with a walk ... 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 six multiple-hit games & one multiple-RBI ... has a season-best 13-game hit streak (ranks No. 8 all-time in FS history) & batted .475 (19-40, 4 R, 2 doubles, triple, 2 HR, 8 BB, 7 RBI, 29 TB, .725 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 six double plays ... in career, ranks No. 3 in walks in WAC & FS history (90) ... 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 three 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-hit & RBI game ... had game-winning hit against #5 Cal to open the year ... has been hit by pitch five times ... has turned one double play.
So., 2B/LF, Pam Perez
Has four multiple-hit games & two multiple RBI ... has a season-best four-game hit streak & batted (.700, 7-10, R, 2 RBI, SH) ... has turned three double plays ... third on team in batting, hits & runs.
Jr., RHP, Leslie Poole
Is 4-1 on year in five starts with a 1.40 ERA ... picked up a win in relief vs. Penn State & recorded a victory over No. 24 Mississippi State ... in career, has 47.2 scoreless innings 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 11-2 in 13 starts with eight shutouts & 136 strikeouts in 106.1 IP for a 0.26 ERA ... averaging 8.97 strikeouts a game ... threw a perfect game vs. UC Riverside (March 3 -- 10th perfect game & 52nd no-hitter in FS history) ... is 3-2 vs. Top 25 teams (W 1-0 vs. #5 Cal, W 2-0 vs. #6 Washington, W 2-1 vs. #10 Pacific, L 1-0 vs. #5 LSU, L 1-0 vs. #2 Stanford) ... has a current streak of 39.0 innings without an earned run & a 29.2 innings scoreless streak ... has eight 10-plus strikeout games in 13 starts ...has 10+ strikeouts in eight of her last 11 starts for a 9.93 strikeout per 7/IP (122 K in 86.0 IP) ... had a streak of three consecutive games with 10+ strikeouts & averaged 13.0 strikeouts a game in that span (39 in 21.0 IP) ... set single-game school record & personal-best 19 strikeouts vs. #10 Pacific ... has yielded seven total runs (three via Bulldog fielding errors) ... has four multiple-hit games & two multiple RBI ... has a current six-game hitting streak & is batting .348 (8-23) with five runs, triple, home run, two walk, sacrifice fly, two RBI & 13 total bases ... four-time WAC Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 11 & 18 & 25, March 4) ... has turned three double plays ... overall, she owns a 13-2 career mark with a save & nine shutouts with 14 complete games in 15 starts & 20 appearances ... In 118.1 career innings pitched, she has yielded 47 hits, seven runs, four earned runs, 30 walks while striking out 154 (9.13 strikeouts 7/IP) for a 0.24 ERA ... 2002 NFCA Leadoff Classic all-tourney ... 2002 preseason all-WAC and WAC Pitcher of the Year.
Jr., C, Pam West
Has five multiple-hit games & one multiple RBI ... recorded GWH vs. No. 10 Pacific ... has thrown out six would-be basestealers in 13 tries ... in last two seasons, has thrown out 26 for a 65% accuracy (14-40) ... led nation in percentage of runners thrown out (74%, 7-27) by catching 20 ... in career, has thrown out 39 would-be basestealers (42-81) for a 48% 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 five multiple-hit games ... has current six-game hitting streak & is batting .429 (9-21, 5 runs, 3 walks, SF, 2-2 SB, 2 RBI, 9 TB) ... 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 vs. #10 CS Fullerton & CS Northridge ... first collegiate start vs.Penn State ... first collegiate win vs. Santa Clara ... has season-best four strikeouts vs. CS Northridge & Santa Clara ... is 1-0 on year with 12 strikeouts & a 1.34 ERA.
