Fresno State Athletics
Softball Opens NCAA Regional Action Against Long Beach State
5/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 12, 2003
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Bulldogs Make 22nd Consecutive NCAA Appearance
Finishing the season strong with a 28-8 mark in its last 36 games and winning its last 10, the Fresno State softball team received an at-large bid to the 2003 NCAA Softball Championships. With the program making its 22nd consecutive NCAA appearance, the Bulldogs are making their 18th straight showing under head coach Margie Wright. As the No. 4 seed, Fresno State (33-20) opens NCAA Regional action against No. 5 seed Long Beach State (29-17) on Thur., May 15, 10:00 a.m. Winning 19 of its last 22 games, including 10 in a row, Long Beach State is making its 14th NCAA regional appearance overall and its third at Bulldog Diamond in NCAA regional play.
NCAA Regional Tickets
All-tournament passes for the 2003 NCAA Softball Regional at Fresno State are on sale. Passes can be purchased at the Bulldog Ticket Office (559-278-3647) or go on-line at www.gobulldogs.com. Single day passes will be available on each day of the regional, only, on location at Bulldog Diamond.
Regional Press Conference
Fresno State will conduct a 30 minute NCAA Softball Regional Press Conference on Wed., May 14, 4:30 p.m., at the North Gym. All eight head coaches and eight student-athletes from the eight participating schools will be available. There will be time for general comments, questions and answers and one-on-one interviews.
Head Coach Margie Wright
As the all-time winningest NCAA Division I softball coach, head coach Margie Wright (Illinois State, 1974) is in her 18th season at the helm of the Fresno State softball program. Wright, who became the first Division I softball coach and 24th Division I head coach overall to record 1,000 Division I victories last year, tallied her 900th school win on April 6 with a 7-0 win over Hawai'i. She owns an 18-year school mark of 914-283-1 (.764). The 1998 NCAA National Coach of the Year boasts a 24-year career record of 1,061-363-3 (.745). With 10 NCAA Women's College World Series trips under her belt, the eight-time conference coach of the year has collected 13 outright or shared conference titles, a Western Athletic Conference tournament championship, 10 regional championship crowns and 18 straight NCAA postseason appearances at Fresno State. Wright is the only coach in the program's 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. Owning a 455-85 (.843) all-time mark at Bulldog Diamond, Wright has recorded 13 50-win campaigns and has averaged 52 wins a season while coaching 45 All-Americans, 13 Verizon Academic All-Americans, four NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winners and one NCAA Top VIII awardee. In the postseason, Wright is 59-30 with a NCAA title, three national runner-up finishes, three third-place showings and three fifth-place finishes at the NCAA Women's College World Series. Having served on the national level as a USA assistant head coach that won gold in the 1996 Olympic Games and at the ISF World Championships as well as a head coach for the USA Junior Women's National Team that won gold in 1995, Wright has made Fresno State one of just three programs in Division I softball to make eight or more trips to the WCWS.
Softball Radio Postseason Package
Fresno State softball will have all of its postseason games heard live on either The Big Dawg 1430 AM or KFSR 90.7 FM. The radio schedule will be announced later. In addition, all the games can be heard live on the internet at www.gobulldogs.com.
Bulldogs in the NCAA Tourney
With 12 NCAA Regional championship titles to its credit, Fresno State owns a 72-43 (.626) record in NCAA Tournament play and is the only program to participate in all 22 NCAA Division I Softball Championship Tournaments. In NCAA Regional action, the 'Dogs are 42-20 (.677). In the WCWS, Fresno State is 30-23 (.567) with a national title (1998), four runner-up trophies (1982, 1988, 1989, 1990), three third-place finishes (1991, 1992, 1997) and three fifth-place showings (1987, 1994, 1999). In postseason play under Wright, the Bulldogs are 59-30 overall: 32-11 in regional play and 27-19 in WCWS action.
Under the Radar
If the weekly USA Today/NFCA Coaches Top 25 poll and the ESPN.COM/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll is to reflect success during the year, Fresno State should have drawn attention. Erasing a 5-12 start, the Bulldogs are 26-6 in their last 32 and 28-8 in their last 36 contests, which includes two Top 15 wins over No. 3 Nebraska (7-3) and No. 12 Stanford (1-0). Winnings its last 10 straight, Fresno State slipped under the national radar screen while holding a 21-5 mark against regional opponents. With one of the toughest preseason Top 25 schedules in the nation, the 'Dogs have dropped five one-run games versus Top 25.
In Memoriam
Fresno State softball head coach Margie Wright suffered a terrible loss to her family on April 11 when the team was in Tulsa, Okla. Wright lost her sister, Betty Jane Wright Lewis, whom the estranged husband murdered. The funeral was held in Decatur, Ill., on April 15. In lieu of flowers, Wright has set up two funds for battered women in memory of her sister. Those who wish to express their sympathy may make a donation in her sister's name at the Marjaree Mason Center in Fresno (1600 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721; phone: 559-237-4706) and at DOVE, Inc. in Decatur (788 E. Clay Street, Decatur, IL 62521; phone: 217-362-9233).
Clark/Southern Garner WAC Player of the Week Honors
For the first time this season, Fresno State swept the weekly WAC honors after freshman shortstop Christina Clark (Santa Ana, Calif.) and sophomore All-America right-hander Jamie Southern (Clovis, Calif.) were named WAC Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, today.
Clark continues to pour it on offensively. She hit .727 (8-11) with six runs, double, home run, two walks, 2-2 stolen bases, five RBI and 12 total bases for a 1.091 slugging percentage in the Bulldogs' 4-0 weekend. Slugging 1.000 in each of the WAC doubleheaders and being on base 77% of the time, Clark hit her first collegiate grand slam against Louisiana Tech. She had her first four-hit performance after going 4-4 with two runs, RBI, double and 1-1 in stolen bases against Tulsa in the regular-season finale. Against Louisiana Tech, Clark batted .600 (3-5) with three runs, walk, home run (#14 on year), 1-1 stolen base, four RBI and six total bases for a 1.200 slugging percentage. Against Tulsa, she hit .833 (5-6) with three runs, double, walk, 1-1 stolen base, RBI and six total bases for a 1.000 slugging percentage. In WAC games only, Clark hit safely in 16 of 18 played as she batted .435 (27-62) with 22 runs, nine doubles, triple, four home runs, seven walks, hit by pitch, 3-3 stolen bases, 21 RBI and 50 total bases for a .806 slugging percentage.
Southern went 3-0 with two shutouts and 23 strikeouts in 19.0 innings for a 0.37 ERA in the last weekend. She pitched both ends of the doubleheader versus Louisiana Tech. Throwing two shutout games, she allowed a total of three hits while walking two and striking out 14 as the Lady Techsters batted .077 against her. Southern pitched her sixth one-hitter and fourth two-hitter on the year against Louisiana Tech while picking up her 13th and 14th shutouts of the season. Against Tulsa, she scattered five hits, walked one and struck out nine while giving up two runs (one earned). With the nine strikeouts versus the Golden Hurricane, Southern became just the second Bulldog pitcher to amass 700 or more career strikeouts (701) as she moved into second place in career strikeouts at Fresno State (surpassed Wende Ward, 691). At the plate, she had the game-winning hit in the Bulldogs' 3-2 victory with a two out RBI single against Tulsa. Versus Louisiana Tech, Southern hit her sixth home run of the year with a walk off shot in the sixth inning in game two. On the weekend, Southern batted .455 (5-11) with two runs, home run, three RBI, sacrifice and eight total bases for a .727 slugging percentage.
Southern is Softball West/Akadema Top 10 Finalist
Softball West Magazine, in conjunction with softball/baseball equipment manufacturer, Akademia, will present their inaugural SWM/Akadema Collegiate Player of the Year Award at the end of the 2003 season. Southern is one of ten softball players selected from around the country and is the only player who has the dual role of a hitter and pitcher. Fans can log on to www.softballwest.org and vote for their top player.
Long Beach State (29-17)
Long Beach State is coming off a second place finish in the Big West after posting a 29-17 mark overall and a 17-3 record in league play. After winning 19 of its last 22 games, including 10 in a row, LBSU is making its 14th NCAA Tournament appearance and owns a 16-20 mark in regional play. The 49ers also will be making their third showing at Bulldog Diamond in NCAA regional action after appearing in Fresno in 1986, 1996 and 1997. Back in postseason play for the first time since the 2002 season, Long Beach State is 18-14 away from home, which includes a 7-8 record at neutral sites. Head coach Pete Manarino is in his 20th season at Long Beach State and brings into the weekend a 722-455 (.613) worksheet. Spearheading the 49ers offense is junior outfielder Arleigh Thorp, who is batting .310 (39-126) with 28 runs, 15 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 23 walks, 5-8 stolen bases, 28 RBI and 82 total bases for a .651 slugging percentage. In the circle, sophomore right-hander Meredith Cervenka (15-8) and junior right-hander Lindsey Knoff (14-9) are the one-two punch for LBSU. Cervenka has nine shutouts and 128 strikeouts in 145.0 innings for a 1.16 ERA while Knoff has seven shutouts and 95 strikeouts in 167.1 innings for a 1.55 ERA. In the all-time series, Fresno State holds a 28-12 lead with the 'Dogs winning seven of the last eight.
Team Notables
Fresno State has won 10 straight and is 26-6 in its last 32 and 28-8 in its last 36 ... The Bulldogs have 11 one-run losses on year and 12 losses have come by two runs or less this season ... Of the 11 one-run losses, six have come in extra innings ... Fresno State has had 19 double-digit hit games on the year, including seven in its last 13 games ... The pitching staff has been tough in the last 36 games ... The Bulldogs sport a 1.08 ERA with 17 shutouts and 243 strikeouts in 245.1 innings ... Last weekend, the Bulldogs picked up their sixth (vs. Louisiana Tech) and seventh (vs. Tulsa) mercy run-rule game of the year ... In the four games, Fresno State batted .375 (36-96) and outscored its opponents 22-2 while posting a stingy 0.28 ERA with 25 strikeouts ... Individually, freshman third baseman Angelina Diaz (Madera, Calif.) had the second-hottest bat next to Clark ... Diaz hit .500 (5-10) with a run, walk, two sacrifices and three RBI ... She also tied the game, 2-2 versus Tulsa, with a one out two-run scoring single in the Bulldogs' come-from-behind victory over the Golden Hurricane ... Junior right fielder Lori Hoffman (Benicia, Calif.) hit .462 (6-13) with a run and six RBI ... Junior center fielder Mitzi Ing (Aiea, Hawaii) also batted better than .400 as she hit .455 (5-11) with four runs, walk and 1-1 stolen base ... Senior right-hander Leslie Poole (Rootstown, Ohio) notched her fourth shutout victory in the Bulldogs' 8-0, 6-inning win over Tulsa ... Senior catcher Pam West (Corona, Calif.) hit her third career home run and first at Bulldog Diamond when she hit an opposite field two-run shot in the 8-0 (6 inn.) win over Tulsa ... As the freshman record holder in total bases (135), Clark's current slugging percentage of .758 ranks third-best in a season while her total base mark ranks sixth-best ... She is the fifth Bulldog to hit 10 or more home runs in a season ... Her 14 home runs this season is tied for the second-best mark in a year (14 by Amanda Scott in 1998 and Kim Maher in 1993) and one off the school's single-season record (15 by Michelle Bolt, 1994) ... In the WAC, her home run total ranks sixth-best in a season ... With 57 career wins, Southern moved to No. 9 all-time in career wins in WAC history ... With 580.2 career innings pitched she also moved to No. 9 all-time in league history and in school history ... Approaching the 300 strikeout plateau for the second straight season (283), Southern has won her last seven straight and is 18-4 in her last 22 starts ... The Bulldogs are batting .309 (296-958) and have outscored their opponents 173-47 with 22 home runs in their last 36 games.
National Rankings
Fresno State softball has been no stranger to the national polls. Owning the longest streak for consecutive weeks (178) ranked in NCAA Division I softball history, the Bulldogs have been nationally ranked in the Top 25 for 178 of 189 weeks since the NCAA's first Top 15 poll in 1983. In addition Fresno State has been in the nation's Top 25 polls for 21 straight years. Appearing in the Top 10 for 151 weeks, the 'Dogs achieved their first No. 1 national ranking on March 14, 1989. They 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. The softball program's five No. 1 rankings is the most ever by a Bulldog athletic team.
Southern Comfort
At Fresno State, Southern reached the 500-career strikeout plateau against Cal Poly on March 6 when she struck out seven. She became the eighth Bulldog pitcher and the sixth WAC hurler to tally 500-career strikeouts. Southern became the quickest Bulldog pitcher to post 500 career strikeouts as she accomplished the feat in 64 appearances. In addition, she became just the fourth Bulldog hurler to tally 600 or more career strikeouts and last weekend became the second pitcher to amass 700 or more career strikeouts. In 580.2 career innings pitched, she is averaging 8.46 strikeouts per seven innings and has given up 42 earned runs for a 0.51 ERA while being 57-20 overall with 37 shutouts and five saves in her Bulldog career. Southern got her 50th career win against La Tech on April 10.
J Cracks Top Three
As the first Bulldog pitcher to throw back-to-back 200 strikeout seasons, Southern has tallied 283 strikeouts (9.13 per 7/IP) in 217.0 innings with 13 ten-strikeout games for a 0.65 ERA as she is 22-10 overall with 14 shutouts. In league play she went 10-2 and with seven shutouts wins and 106 strikeouts in 85.2 innings for a 0.49 ERA. This marked the second straight year in which she has tallied 10 or more league wins. Southern continues to move up in the school's and WAC's career charts. At Fresno State, she is No. 1 in fewest earned runs allowed with 42 (min. 500 IP) and strikeouts per seven innings (8.46), No. 2 in ERA (0.51), No. 3 in strikeouts (701), No. 8 in shutouts (37), No. 9 in innings pitched (580.2) and No. 10 in complete games (70). In the WAC's annals, she ranks No. 1 in ERA and strikeouts per seven innings, No. 3 in strikeouts, No. 5 in saves, No. 9 in innings pitched and career wins (57).
Nearly Untouchable
Southern virtually has been untouchable in her last 22 starts as she is 18-4 with 189 strikeouts in 150.2 innings for a 0.65 ERA. Winning her last seven starts, she has thrown four shutouts with 62 strikeouts (9.64 strikeouts per 7/IP) in 45.0 innings for a 0.93 ERA (23 hits, 6 runs, 6 earned runs, 8 walks). Going 11-1 in her last 12 starts, she has tossed eight shutouts with 110 strikeouts (8.45 strikeouts per 7/IP) in 91.1 innings for a 0.46 ERA (42 hits, 7 runs, 6 earned runs, 13 walks). Southern is 17-2 in her last 19 starts and has pitched 12 shutout victories as she has struck out 165 (9.45 strikeouts per 7/IP) in 122.2 innings for a 0.46 ERA (70 hits, 11 runs, 8 earned runs, 18 walks). On the year she has season-best streaks of 68.1 innings without an earned run and 28.2 scoreless innings.
Getting the Job Done at the Plate
At the plate, Southern has been solid over the past 22 games as well. Hitting .388 (28-72), she has scored eight runs and has been walked four times while picking up four doubles, sacrifice fly, two home runs, 16 RBI and 38 total bases for a .528 slugging percentage. In her last 36 games, Southern is hitting .366 (41-112) with 17 runs, six doubles, triple, six home runs, 27 RBI, nine walks, hit by pitch, sac fly and 67 total bases for a .598 slugging percentage. She is second on the team in batting (.340), doubles (7), home runs (6) and total bases (82) while third in hits (55) and RBI (28). Garnering her first WAC Player of the Week pick this season, Southern is the first Bulldog to collect a multi home-run performance since Nina Lindenberg (4 times in 1997). Hitting four home runs in a span of two days, she hit a three-run shot against No. 3 Nebraska and a two-run home run versus Hawai'i while collecting a pair of solo shots against No. 13 DePaul. In the Bulldogs' nine-game win streak, she batted .360 (9-25) with four runs, double, triple, two home runs, four walks, hit by pitch, eight RBI and 18 total bases for a .720 slugging percentage.
Clark Sizzling
As the second Bulldog freshman to reach the 100 total base plateau in school history, Clark continues to add to her rookie mark in total bases with 135. The mark of 135 total bases currently ranks sixth-best in single-season school history. In addition, her current slugging percentage of .758 ranks third-best at Fresno State. With 14 home runs on the season, Clark is one shy of tying a new single-season school record and three from tying a new WAC single-season home run record. Clark currently is tied for sixth in the WAC's single-season list with 14 home runs. In the school's career charts, she is seventh in career home runs. Clark currently has an 11-game hitting streak and is batting .541 (20-37) with 15 runs, eight doubles, triple, two home runs (grand slam), five walks (two intentional), 3-3 stolen bases, 13 RBI and 36 total bases for a .973 slugging percentage. In her last 22 games, Clark is batting .453 (34-75) with 25 runs, 10 doubles, triple, six home runs (grand slam), 26 RBI, 10 walks (two intentional), 3-3 stolen base and 64 total bases for a .853 slugging percentage. Her bat has been so potent over the last 32 games that she has been held hitless only three times and has reached base in 31 of the those 32 games. In this 32-game span, Clark is hitting .472 (51-108) with 36 runs, 13 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs (grand slam), 11 walks (two intentional), two hit by pitch, 4-4 stolen bases, 34 RBI and 100 total bases for a .926 slugging percentage. In her last 36, Clark has been held hitless in five games but has reached base in 32. Clark is batting .446 (54-121) with 38 runs, 13 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs (grand slam), 11 walks (two intentional), three hit by pitch, sacrifice fly, 4-4 stolen bases, 35 RBI and 104 total bases for a .860 slugging percentage. Ranked No. 13 in the May 4th release of the NCAA statistics in home runs per game (13, 0.27), Clark leads the Bulldogs in 13 offensive categories: batting (.393), runs (51), hits (70), doubles (15), triples (4), home runs (14), RBI (45), total bases (135), slugging percentage (.758), sacrifice flies (2), multiple-hit games (19) and multiple-RBI games (11).
Hoffman Excelling
Junior right fielder/designated player Lori Hoffman (Benicia, Calif.) , who was named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week on April 28, garnered her first WAC honor this season after being selected first team as a utility player. Hoffman, who is the third Bulldog this season to have a multiple home run game, had a career-high six RBI and a grand slam in the Bulldogs' 11-2 win over Nevada. For WAC games only, her multi-home run game tied the league's single-game record. The last Bulldog to hit a grand slam was Lindsay Fossatti, who hit one at No. 2 Arizona on April 18, 2001 in a non-conference doubleheader. Hoffman has a current 11-game hitting streak and is batting .447 (17-38) with four runs, walk, sacrifice fly, two home runs (grand slam), 18 RBI and 23 total bases for a .605 slug percentage. In her last 22 games, she is hitting .359 (28-78) with seven runs, double, walk, sacrifice fly, three home runs (grand slam), 23 RBI and 38 total bases for a .487 slug percentage. Hoffman is second on the team in hits (59), doubles (7) and RBI (42) while third in batting (.328), home runs (3) and total bases (75).
Not on My Watch
West has been one of the best kept secrets around the nation at the catching position since first arriving at Fresno State. Leading the nation in runners thrown out as a sophomore, West owns a career .992 fielding percentage in 1,686 career total chances. In the last three years, she has thrown out 52 would-be basestealers for a 60% accuracy (34-86) while, in her career, she has thrown out 64 and owns a 51% accuracy (62-126).
Poole(ing) Together
Senior right-handed pitcher Leslie Poole (Rootstown, Ohio) has been pushing herself as the No. 2 starter. In her last 15 appearances, she is 9-3 with four shutouts, five walks and 28 strikeouts while giving up 12 runs (11 earned) for a 1.26 ERA in 61.2 innings. In her last 74.1 innings, Poole has walked five while striking out 37 and has given up 16 runs (11 earned) for a 1.04 ERA. Lowering her ERA to 1.58 on the year, she is 9-5 overall with four shutouts, a no-decision and 42 strikeouts to nine walks in 84.1 innings of work.
Six Bulldogs Named All-WAC
The Western Athletic Conference announced its 2003 all-WAC softball team and Fresno State came away with six selections, including five first team picks and the league's co-pitcher and freshman of the year awardees. The Bulldogs' five first team all-league selections were the most by any of the WAC members. Southern received her second straight WAC Pitcher of the Year accolades after winning the honor outright as a freshman and sharing the honor this year with Hawai'i's Melissa Coogan. This is the first time in WAC history that co-pitcher of the year honors went out. Fresno State has had the WAC Pitcher of the Year for the fifth time in six years. Clark was named WAC Freshman of the Year. Clark is the sixth Bulldog in the last eight years to receive this award. First team honors for the Bulldogs went to Clark, Southern, West, Hoffman and freshman outfielder Nicole Shan (Whittier, Calif.) while freshman third baseman Angelina Diaz (Madera, Calif.) garnered second team honors. As a team, the Bulldogs led the conference with a WAC-best .319 average and league-best 1.19 ERA. Spearheading the offense in league games only was Clark (.435), Southern (.410), Diaz (.375), Shan (.344), Hoffman (.333) and West (.275).
Ing Named Verizon Academic All-District/Arthur Ashe Jr. Scholar
Ing was named to the 2003 Verizon Academic All-District VIII University Division Softball Team on May 8. One of 11 softball players selected by voting members of College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Ing sported the highest GPA of the District VIII selections with a cumulative GPA of 3.92 in business administration. Ing, who now goes on for national consideration as a Verizon Academic All-American, receives her first Verizon All-District VIII accolade after recently being honored as a 2003 first team Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar in softball. After starting in right field her first two seasons and moving to center field this year, Ing is a three-time Fresno State Scholar-Athlete as well as a two-time Western Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete, WAC All-Academic and National Fastpitch Coaches' Association Scholar-Athlete. A five-time member of the Dean's List and a four-time honoree on the President's List (4.0), Ing is third on the team in walks (11) and sacrifices (9) as the No. 7-8-9 batter. Hitting .292 (7-24) with five runs, six walks, hit by pitch and three sacrifices in her first 11 games of the season, Ing has recorded a pair of four-game hitting streaks on the year while recording three multiple hit and two multiple RBI games to date. The 2001 WAC Freshmen All-Academic pick recorded a career-best four hits against Nevada last time out for the Bulldogs and hit her first career triple while posting a personal-best three RBI against Southern Utah in March.
Four 'Dogs Selected to USA Women's National Team Camp
USA Softball announced its list of 45 players that have been invited to the Women's National Team Camp, June 4-8, at the ARCO Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. These players will compete for positions on two teams that will represent the USA in international competition this summer. The two teams selected, following the team camp, will represent the USA at the U.S. Cup in Honolulu (June 19-22), the Canada Cup in Surrey, B.C., Canada (July 4-13) and the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo (Aug. 5-14). Those selected to the USA Softball Elite Team will compete in the Canada Cup as well as the Japan Cup in Yokohama, Japan (July 18-20). Four Bulldogs have been selected in former standouts Laura Berg (Santa Fe Springs, Calif.) and Nina Lindenberg (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) along with Clark and Southern.
