Fresno State Athletics
No. 25/19 Softball Makes Home Debut with the Bulldog Classic presented by Bingham Toyota
2/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 28, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. -
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Fresno State Makes Home Debut
The Fresno State softball team makes its home debut this week with its own Bulldog Classic presented by Bingham Toyota. The four-day, seven-team tournament field will showcase 21 games as this year's participants include Fresno State, Iowa State, Kent State, Ole Miss, St. John's, Santa Clara and UCLA.
Bulldog Classic presented by Bingham Toyota
While the Bulldogs will begin a 14-game homestand this week, Fresno State is hosting a tournament for the eighth straight year. This tournament formerly went by the names of Hedrick's Hallowell Chevrolet Classic and Clovis Auto Row Softball Classic before changing to Bulldog Classic presented by Bingham Toyota this season. Outside of Fresno State, UCLA and St. John's are repeat visitors. The Bruins are making their seventh appearance while St. John's is back for the second time after first appearing in the tournament in 2003. Both Fresno State and UCLA have captured two tournament titles.
Bulldog Classic Opponents
Iowa State (1-8): Participated at the College of Charleston Tournament and posted a 1-5 mark ... The Cyclones lost to Virginia Tech (5-1, 1-0), Pittsburgh (5-1) and College of Charleston (2-1) while splitting with Winthrop (3-4, 2-0) ... Iowa State is led by sophomore outfielder/pitcher Katie Reichling ... Reichling is batting .267 (4-15) with a run, a double and five walks ... In the circle, she is 1-2 with two strikeouts in 16 innings pitched for a 1.75 ERA ... ISU is making it first appearance in Fresno, Calif. ... In the series, Fresno State holds a 2-0 advantage after picking up wins in 2001 (8-0) and 2003 (8-1).
St. John's (4-5): Wrapping up its California trek this week, St. John's participated at the University of San Diego Invitational last weekend and went 2-3 ... The Red Storm lost to Illinois-Chicago (4-3) before winning two straight with victories over Nevada (4-3) and UC Riverside (5-1) ... St. John's wrapped up tournament play with a 6-2 loss to host USD ... The Red Storm will play a single game at San Diego State on Tue., March 1 before participating in the Bulldog Classic ... The Red Storm is led offensively by sophomore catcher Christina Tucker, who is batting .423 (11-26) with four runs, four doubles, a home run and 10 RBI ... In the circle, sophomore right hander Brittany Crouch and Kimberly Lerch each have two wins a piece ... Crouch is 2-2 with 18 strikeouts in 23.0 innings for a 1.52 ERA while Lerch is 2-3 with 10 strikeouts in 22.2 innings for a 2.47 ERA ... St. Johns is making its second appearance at Fresno State's tourney as the Red Storm won the first meeting, 1-0 (2003).
Kent State (7-2): Coming off a 4-2 worksheet at the Frost Cutlery Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn. ... The Golden Flashes defeated Purdue (4-2), lost to Tennessee Tech (3-1), defeated Bradley (4-0) and lost to Kentucky (7-6) before closing out with a 4-1 win over host Chattanooga ... Kent State is led by two .500 hitters in senior third baseman Jodi Stevens and junior catcher Ashley Fairhurst ... Stevens is batting .533 (16-30) with seven runs, two doubles, a home run and 21 RBI while Fairhurst is hitting .500 (12-24) with six runs, three doubles, two home runs, seven walks and 11 RBI ... In the circle, Kent State has three pitchers that have picked up at least two wins ... Junior left hander Erin Christopher is 2-0 with a shutout, a save and 13 strikeouts in 18.0 innings for a 0.50 ERA ... Kent State is making its first trip to Fresno, Calif. and will be playing the Bulldogs for the first time.
Ole Miss (13-5): Coming off a five-game homestand in which Ole Miss went 4-1 ... The Rebels posted wins over Samford (7-1, 2-1 in 8 inn.) in a doubleheader before winning two of three from Evansville (5-0, 0-1, 2-0) ... Mississippi State is led offensively by DeDe Justice, who is batting .375 (18-48) with 11 runs, four doubles, three home runs, nine walks and 11 RBI ... In the circle, sophomore left hander Tara Willitt is 5-0 with a shutout and 14 strikeouts in 27.2 innings for a 0.76 ERA ... The Rebels return 13 letterwinners, including four starters from a 15-37 team that finished fifth in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference ... Ole Miss is making its first trip to Fresno, Calif. ... The Bulldogs hold a 2-0 series advantage with tournament wins in 2000 (4-2) and 2003 (3-1).
Santa Clara (8-8): Coming off a four-game road trip with visits to No. 1 California and Cal Poly ... Santa Clara went 2-2 last week after dropping two games to the Golden Bears (6-0, 6-0) before sweeping Cal Poly (4-2, 3-2) ... Opened the season at 1-5 but has since gone 7-3 ... The Broncos are led offensively by junior catcher Kate Goethals, who is batting .275 (11-40) with three runs, three doubles, five walks and three RBI ... Junior outfielder Jessica Clee is the top RBI producer with 11 ... In the circle, junior left hander Liz Courter is 4-4 with 24 strikeouts in 50.2 innings for a 4.14 ERA ... Santa Clara returns 12 letterwinners from a 30-23 team that finished first in the Pacific Coast Conference ... In the series, Fresno State holds a 37-1 lead.
#3/4 UCLA (11-4): While being 4-2 in its last six, UCLA is coming off a 3-2 performance at the Palm Springs Classic ... Opened with wins over Bethune Cookman (5-0) and Notre Dame (3-1) ... Lost to Oklahoma State (2-1) then defeated Wisconsin (2-0) before closing out the tournament with a 3-0, 8 inning loss to No. 3 Texas ... Offensively, freshman left fielder Krista Colburn leads the Bruins with a .381 (16-42) batting average while collecting a double, a triple and a home run ... In the circle, freshman right hander Anjelica Selden is 7-1 with five shutouts, a save and 121 strikeouts in 66.0 innings for a 0.21 ERA ... In the series, UCLA leads 34-10.
Southern Makes History by Sweeping Weekly WAC Honors
For the first time in Western Athletic Conference history, Fresno State's senior All-American Jamie Southern (Clovis, Calif.) became the first softball player to sweep player and pitcher of the week awards at one time. Southern garnered both WAC softball player of the week honors after having an outstanding performance at the 10th NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. last week. Guiding Fresno State to a third place finish at the 24-team tournament field, Southern was a juggernaut as she captured the school's first Most Valuable Player honor at the Leadoff Classic. Pitching and playing first base, Southern collected 18 total bases for a 1.500 slugging percentage as she hit four home runs in the first three games of the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Southern notched her fourth career multi home run game against No. 10 LSU. She also had three multiple RBI games and two multiple hit games, including a three-hit performance against Texas State and three RBI gamed against the Tigers. With the four long balls hit last week she became just the fifth Bulldog to post 20 or more career home runs as she currently ranks No. 5 in the school's career list with 22. In the circle, she posted a 2-1 mark with a shutout and 26 strikeouts in 20.0 innings for a 0.70 ERA. Scattering 13 hits and yielding four runs (two earned), she also walked two as opponents batted .176 against her. Southern opened tournament play with a shutout victory over Seton Hall as she threw a three-hitter and struck out eight; the shutout was No. 62 of her career which ranks No. 15 in NCAA Division I history. Southern then pitched the Bulldogs to a 5-2 victory over No. 10 LSU and struck out 10 for her 44th career 10-strikeout game as she improved to 3-0 on the season. The win over No. 10 LSU was Southern's 93rd career victory as she moved up to No. 3 all-time in the school's annals while now being just seven victories shy of becoming the 40th NCAA Division I pitcher to reach the 100-win plateau. She absorbed her first loss of the year to No. 21 Florida State as two unearned runs gave the Seminoles a 2-0 victory. By recording 26 strikeouts last weekend, Southern needs 21 more to become just the 20th NCAA Division I pitcher to reach the 1,100-career strikeout plateau.
Week in Review
Fresno State won its pool with a 3-0 mark and advanced to the gold medal bracket at the 10th NFCA Leadoff Classic ... The Bulldogs finished third out of the 24-team tournament field ... Fresno State opened the tourney with a 6-0 win over Seton Hall, an 8-1 victory against Texas State and a 5-2 win over No. 10 LSU ... The Bulldogs fell victim to their errors against No. 21 Florida State as the Seminoles capitalized on two unearned runs in the 2-0 victory ... Fresno State then had its ninth game of the year rained out against Creighton ... The Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the third inning but the game was called due to rain ... Fresno State scored a season-high eight runs against Texas State while tying its season-high mark in hits (11) against Utah, Oregon State and the Bobcats ... The four home runs and 19 total bases collected against LSU are also season-high marks ... With the three wins last week, head coach Margie Wright is 33 victories shy of her 1,000th school win ... Freshman left hander Amanda Nesbitt (Mesa, Ariz.) made her first collegiate start of the year against Texas State and tossed a four-hitter while walking three and striking out four ... Garnering her first collegiate win in her first college start, the one run given up was unearned as Fresno State won 8-1 ... After making her collegiate debut two weeks ago against No. 20 Oregon State as a reliever, Nesbitt got her "unofficial" second collegiate start against Creighton in the consolation round of the gold medal bracket ... With eight home runs hit last week, Southern smashed four to lead the way while junior All-America shortstop Christina Clark (Santa Ana, Calif.) hit two and sophomore catcher Nichole Willis (Clovis, Calif.) and senior third baseman Leticia Pacheco (Bloomington, Calif.) each had one ... For Pacheco, it was her first career home run as she hit a solo shot to lead off the fourth against No. 10 LSU ... Willis, who had a total of four home runs a year ago, notched her second of the season in just six games ... Clark hit No. 40 and 41 of her career last week as the Bulldogs' home run leader continues to assault the record book ... The two home runs hit last week allowed Clark to creep closer to the WAC's all-time career mark of 46 as she currently sits No. 2 all-time in the league's annals ... In addition, Clark scored a team-high six runs to move to No. 9 all-time in school history in scoring (125) and total bases (339) ... In the WAC's career record book, she moved into a tie for the tenth spot in career runs as well ... Dating back to April 29, 2004, she saw her 17-game hit streak come to an end against No. 21 Florida State ... A streak that ranks fifth all-time at Fresno State, Clark hit .422 (27-64) with 23 runs, six doubles, a triple, eight home runs, eight walks, 17 RBI and 59 total bases for a .922 slugging percentage in this stretch ... Outside of Southern's .500 batting average, sophomore left fielder Rachael Donaldson (Murrieta, Calif.) was the other Bulldog to hit better than .450 ... Donaldson batted .462 (6-13) with a RBI to spark the `Dogs offense ... As a team, the Bulldogs are batting .285 (49-172) with 31 runs, 15 extra base hits that include 10 home runs while collecting 85 total bases for a .494 slugging percentage.
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 196 of the 208 weeks since the NCAA's first Top 15 poll in 1983. In addition, Fresno State has been in the nation's official Top 25 polls for 23 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 program's five No. 1 rankings is the most ever by a Bulldogs' athletic team.
NCAA Career Leaders
Ranked in two NCAA Division I career pitching categories, Southern currently ranks No. 24 in career strikeouts (1,079) and No. T26 in career strikeout ratio (8.4). She currently is seven wins shy of becoming the 40th hurler to reach the 100 career win plateau while also looking to become the 20th pitcher to amass 1,100 career strikeouts. NOTE: Entering the week, only 19 Division I pitchers have eclipsed the 1,100 career strikeout plateau and only seven pitchers have posted 120 or more Division I wins.
Long Ball Fun
Hitting the second-highest number of home runs (23) in the nation last spring, it took Clark just four innings into the new year to belt her first of the season and No. 39 of her career. Having set a new school and WAC season long ball mark en route to becoming Fresno State's all-time career home run holder last year, the two-time All-American ranks No. 2 all-time in WAC history for career home runs (41). As the first Bulldog and WAC player to hit 20 home runs in a season, Clark is now six home runs shy of becoming the league's career home run leader (46, Scia Maumausolo of CS Northridge, 1993-96).
Southern Returns as Nation's ERA Leader
Southern, a three-time All-American and an Academic All-American, returns as the nation's top ERA leader, again. She notched a 0.54 ERA to lead the nation last spring after posting a national-best 0.44 as a freshman. In the circle this year, Southern already has thrown a no-hitter (5th of career) as she defeated Utah, 5-0, in the season opener as she made her 120th career appearance. She has pitched two shutouts in three wins while tallying two 10-strikeout games. Southern has recorded 62 career shutouts, which ranks No. 15 in NCAA Division I history and third all-time in school history, and 44 career 10-strikeout performances.
Grand Slam Leader
While three opponents have hit a grand slam at Bulldog Diamond, the Bulldogs' top grand slam leader is Clark. Dating back to 1991, 16 grand slams have been recorded in Bulldog softball history as Clark has three of them. However, only one has been hit at home and that was Clark, who connected against Louisiana Tech on May 10, 2003. Last season, Clark hit two and both came on the road (No. 13 Pacific & UTEP) . The most grand slams hit in a season by a Bulldog team has been three, twice (2004 and 1998).
Clark Crashing the Record Books
Entering the 2005 season Clark ranked in three career Fresno State offensive marks: No. 1 home runs and No. 10 in runs and total bases. After six games of play, she now has 41 career home runs while ninth in total bases (339) and runs (125). In addition, Clark posted a 17-game hit streak that ranks No. 5 all-time in school history. Dating back to April 29, 2004, her hitting streak saw Clark hit .422 (27-64) with 23 runs, six doubles, a triple, eight home runs, eight walks, 17 RBI and 59 total bases for a .922 slugging percentage. In the WAC's career annals, she is now tied for No. 10 in runs (125) while sitting single digits out of the No. 10 spot in doubles (7 shy), triples (3 shy) and RBI (9 shy) and 19 shy of ranking total bases.
School of Hard Knocks
In position to surpass three-time Olympic gold medalist Laura Berg's career hit by pitch mark (43, 1994-95, 97-98), senior third baseman Leticia Pacheco (Bloomington, Calif.) comes into her final year with 35 after being hit 12 times last spring, 10 times as a sophomore and 13 times as a freshman.
Chasing Records
Both Clark and Southern are making their way up the school's and WAC's career record book. As the Bulldogs' top slugger, Clark established new single-season school records in home runs (23) and total bases (178) last season. Her sophomore year also showcased her 100th career run, hit and RBI as she also became just the second Bulldog and seventh WAC player to slug .800 or better in a season. As the WAC's first three-time WAC Pitcher of the Year selection, Southern led the nation in ERA every week except one in 2004. She has pitched five no-hitters (three perfect games) to go along with 15 one-hitters and 17 two-hitters as a Bulldog. Southern also had a break out year at the plate last season by recording her first 100 total base season and posting a career-high 11-game hit streak. In two years of national stats (16 weeks), Clark has been ranked all 16 weeks in home runs per game, nine weeks in slugging percentage, seven weeks in runs per game and six in batting average. Over three years (24 weeks), Southern has been ranked all 24 weeks in ERA, 22 in wins, nine in strikeouts per seven innings and four in saves while leading the nation in ERA in 15 weeks.
2005 Schedule
With the second regular-season weekly release of the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Top 25 Poll, Fresno State has five of the top 10 teams in the nation and a total of 10 programs that were ranked or received votes on its schedule. After being rained out against No. 1 California and No. 13 Georgia, Fresno State will meet other Top 10 teams in tournament action in No. 3 UCLA at the Bulldog Classic presented by Bingham Toyota (March 6), No. 10 LSU at the NFCA Leadoff Classic (Feb. 26) and No. 8 Michigan at Kia Klassic (March 17).
Softball Season Tickets On Sale
Season tickets for the 2005 Fresno State softball season are on sale. Fans can order on-line (www.gobulldogs.com), by phone (278-DOGS) or by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). Season ticket prices are as follows: Reserved seating ($182), GA-Adult ($75), GA- Youth (ages 6-18: $52) and GA-Senior (ages 65+: $52).
Making It Four In a Row
While Southern garnered All-America honors at utility for the second straight season after being named All-America at pitcher as a freshman, she became the eighth Bulldog to be a three-time All-American and the fourth Bulldog hurler to do so as she joined Terry Carpenter, Carie Dever and Amanda Scott. This season, Southern will look to be just the fourth Bulldog to be a four-time All-American as Laura Berg, Robyn Yorke and Scott are the only 'Dogs on the elite list. In addition, Southern also will look to be the first WAC hurler to be selected as a four-time WAC Pitcher of the Year.
Wright: She Can Coach!
Wright is a featured author in the book entitled She Can Coach! An author in various other books, magazines and videos, Wright is showcased for being a coaching legend. Released last December, the book serves as guide for female coaches and a recruiting tool for the next generation of female mentors. Unlike any book before it, this collection speaks directly on the topics that determine success in coaching by using the words and experiences of 20 of the most successful female coaches in 13 different sports. Some other notable coaching legends include Pat Summitt, Mary Wise and Nell Fortner.
Southern: Final 24 John Wooden Trophy Candidate
After more than 200 nominations were reviewed, Southern was one of 24 candidates selected for consideration of the inaugural John Wooden Trophy announced last October. The prestigious award singled out athletes of excellence on and off the field and spotlights those who are role models in performance and person. Southern, who led the nation in ERA for the second time of her career last spring, is a three-time All-American on the field and an Academic All-American in the classroom while overcoming a near career-ending injury as a freshman. Her community involvement has been equally recognized as she volunteers with Big Heroes-Little Heroes events, walks in causes such as Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence, participates in Special Olympics, serves as a guest speaker a various community organizations as well as work with young children in readings and sports.
Fresno State Returns Some of WAC's Best
While returning five all-conference players, Fresno State brings back three of the Top 10 hit and RBI leaders in Clark (88 hits, 56 RBI), Southern (70 hits, 34 RBI) and Willis (60 hits, 28 RBI). While Clark has led the WAC in RBI the past two seasons, she, along with Southern, are back as two of the top home run hitters as well as two of the top three total base leaders. Overall, Clark is back as the WAC's top player in eight offensive categories: batting (.396), hits, runs (63), RBI (56), home runs (23), total bases (178), slugging percentage (.802) and on base percentage (.470). Southern returns as the WAC's top pitcher in seven categories: ERA (0.54), opposing batting average (.144), strikeouts (299), strikeouts per seven innings (8.08), innings pitched (259.0), victories (30) and games started (37) while second in appearances (41) and third in saves (3).
Southern First Round Pick in NPF Senior Draft
In the 2005 National Pro Fastpitch Senior Draft, Southern was the fifth overall pick in the senior draft. Selected by the Akron Racers, Southern is the program's third senior first round draft pick (sixth first round draft selection overall) and 20th total draftee chosen from the Fresno State softball program. The other two Bulldogs who were selected in the first round of a senior draft were Amanda Scott (No. 1, Ohio Pride, 2000) and Jamie Maxey (No. 5, Georgia Pride, 1999). With at least one Bulldog drafted since 1996, Fresno State softball had the university's first No. 1 draft pick, regardless of sport or gender, in Scott, who led the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut to the NPF title last summer. While six Bulldogs have played on the professional ranks, four have been a part of a championship team: Scott (2004 NPF Champion NY/NJ Juggernaut) and Randi Berg, Kim Maher and Nina Lindenberg (2000 WPSL Champion Florida Wahoos). Still further, three `Dogs have garnered pro honors: Scott (2004 NPF All-Star; 2004 NPF Championship Series MVP), Julie Smith (2000 WPSL Defensive Player of the Year) and Berg (1999 WPSL Defensive Player of the Year for Georgia Pride).
From Bulldog to Professional Manager
As the NPF announced its second season of league play in January, the 2004 World Champion New York/New Jersey Juggernaut also announced a new head coach and general manager in Smith, a former Fresno State softball All-American and 1996 USA Olympic Softball gold medalist. Overseeing all business and fastpitch operations for the Juggernaut, she also played professional softball. In the 1996 amateur draft, Smith was the No. 6 pick in the first round of the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). However, she went on to represent the United States in softball and captured gold at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Four years later, Smith was again drafted by the WPSL and was the No. 2 pick in the 2000 Elite/Supplement Draft. Playing for the Ohio Pride, she was named the 2000 WPSL Defensive Player of the Year. On the international level, Smith was a two-time World Champion as the USA Women's National Team captured gold at the 1994 and 1998 International Softball Federation Women's World Championship. In addition, she was a two-time Pan Am gold medalist (1995, 1999) as well as helping the USA Women's Junior National Team to a world title (1987). In her two-year career at Fresno State, Smith garnered First Team All-America honors at second base in 1990 and 1991. With the Bulldogs being the NCAA runner up in 1990, she led the NCAA in hits (93), runs (55) and at bats (263). In the school's career annals, Smith still ranks among the top 10 in batting (.359), triples (10), slugging percentage (.438), stolen bases (26) and hitting streak (14).
De Ja Vu for Former Bulldog
It was just six years ago that Scott collected a collegiate national championship crown and garnered college world series MVP honors. After a hiatus, Scott stepped onto a softball field once again and added another national title and another MVP honor to her illustrious softball resume last August. In her first season as a professional for the New York/New Jersey, she pitched the Juggernaut to a world championship as the franchise captured the inaugural Cowles Cup as the 2004 National Pro Fastpitch champion. Going 3-0 in the circle, Scott allowed 13 hits, three runs (two earned), walked six and struck out 21 in 19.0 innings of work. With a 2-0, three-hit shutout victory over the Akron Racers, she came back in the deciding game and tossed a six-hitter while fanning eight in a 3-2 win over Akron. Like she did as a Bulldog, Scott faithfully took the team on her shoulders and pitched them to a 10-1 victory over the New England Riptide. Winning her last five starts, Scott finished the year at 18-7 with two saves, 24 starts (20 complete), 34 runs (22 earned), 107 hits, 51 walks and 160 strikeouts in 179.0 innings for a 0.86 ERA. New York/New Jersey posted an inaugural record of 44-22.
Bulldogs Bring Home Olympic Gold
Playing in her third straight Olympics last summer, former four-time All-America outfielder Laura Berg helped the United States collect its third consecutive gold medal in Athens. While former two-year player Lovie Jung (United States) and four-year starter Vanessa Czarnecki (Greece) suited up for the first time as softball Olympians, it was Berg who patrolled center field for Team USA for the third straight Olympics as the U.S. Women's National Team dominated with a perfect 9-0 record, the best mark in Olympic play, and defeated Australia, 5-1, in the gold medal game. In 2000, Berg had the game-winning hit with a one-out hit to left to lead the USA to a 2-1, 8 inning victory over Japan in Sydney. In 1996, Berg scored the first run in the championship game as the USA posted a 3-1 win over China. While Fresno State boasts 13 Olympians, 11 for Team USA, the United State's Women's National Team owns a 24-4 overall mark in Olympic play.
