Fresno State Athletics
Softball Readies for Double Days
1/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 7, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. -
Fresno State Softball Complete Release in PDF Format
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Preseason Practice Starts Next Week
The Fresno State softball team will ready itself for the 2004 season beginning next Mon., Jan. 12, when the Bulldogs begin double days at Bulldog Diamond. The 'Dogs return 13 letterwinners, including seven starters, from a 36-22 team was of one of 23 squads to reach the semifinals of the 2003 NCAA Regional Championship play. Two All-Americans, Christina Clark (Santa Ana, Calif.) and Jamie Southern (Clovis, Calif.), will spearhead Fresno State as it also returns 2003 First Team All-WAC performer Lori Hoffman (Benicia, Calif.). Four newcomers highlight the '04 team, including the 2003 Diamond Sports High School Catcher of the Year and three-time Louisville Slugger/NFCA High School All-American Nichole Willis (Clovis, Calif.) and 2003 Louisville Slugger/NFCA CalJC Second Team All-American Porsha Finley (West Covina, Calif.).
Meet the Team Activities On Deck
The annual "Meet the Team" activities are just right around the corner as fans will have three opportunities to meet the 2004 Bulldogs before the season begins . The Fresno State softball team will appear at half time of the Fresno State vs. Rice men's basketball game on Thur., Jan. 22, 7:00 p.m. The following week, the general public will have the opportunity to bid on special auction items as well as meet the players and coaching staff at the annual "Meet the Team" Dinner and Silent Auction, which will be held at TorNino's on Fri., Jan. 30, 6:00 p.m. Tickets for the $30-plate dinner are available now by phoning Dorothy Hunter at (559) 439-0605. The following day fans will be able to meet and greet the Bulldogs at Sierra Vista Mall from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The 2004 Fresno State softball poster and schedule cards will be available while the players and coaching staff will be on hand to sign autographs. In addition, season ticket brochures will be available as well as information and the opportunity on how to be a seat option holder at Bulldog Diamond.
2004 Home Schedule
The 2004 Fresno State softball home schedule features 12 doubleheader dates and the four-day Clovis Auto Row Softball Classic. The Bulldogs, who open the season on the road in February, make their first appearance at Bulldog Diamond in March and do so with longevity. With 18 straight games being played at Bulldog Diamond, the 'Dogs kick off their home schedule with UC Riverside on March 3, 6:00 p.m., before hosting Santa Clara, Pacific, Campbell and Virginia. The highly successful and very competitive Clovis Auto Row Softball Classic will take place March 11-14 as the Bulldogs, San Diego State, Long Beach State, North Texas, Oregon State, Utah and UCLA will fight it out for top honors. Fresno State wraps up its 18-game homestand with Long Island on March 16 before coming back home the final week of the month with Ohio State and Nevada. The months of April and May will feature just two doubleheaders per month as UTEP and San Jose State will visit in April and Louisiana Tech and Tulsa in May. Fresno State softball season tickets are currently on sale at the Bulldog Ticket Office and on-line at www.gobulldogs.com.
Comcast to Televise Six Dates
The 2004 Fresno State softball television schedule has been set. Comcast (ch. 14) will broadcast the first game of Bulldog softball doubleheaders against six opponents this upcoming season: Pacific, UCLA (tournament game), Ohio State, Nevada, San Jose State and Tulsa.
