Fresno State Athletics
No. 21/18 Softball Travels to Pacific
4/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 4, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. -
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Fresno State Travels to Pacific
The Fresno State softball team will travel to Stockton, Calif., for a 1:00 p.m. non-conference doubleheader on Thur., April 7. The doubleheader will be carried live on ESPN 1430 AM with Marcas Grant calling the games. A bus tour has been set up for this doubleheader. The bus will leave Fresno at 8:30 a.m. and stop for lunch in Stockton. After the games, the bus will stop for dinner before returning at 8:00 p.m. The cost is $45 per person (includes game ticket). For more information or to make reservations, contact Tim Schiller at (559) 225-3164. The Bulldogs will be meeting Pacific for the 90th and 91st time since 1978.
Four Non-Conference Games Left
The Bulldogs only have four non-conference games left on their 2005 schedule. After playing the Tigers on Thursday, Fresno State will wrap up its non-conference slate at home next Wed., April 13, with a 6:00 p.m. match up against UNLV. The 'Dogs are 21-8 against non-conference opponents.
WAC Season Underway
After Hawai'i and Nevada opened Western Athletic Conference play two weeks ago, the remaining five schools began league play last week. While Fresno State is first in the conference standings at 3-0, Tulsa, Nevada and UTEP are a game back as all three are 2-1. San Jose State and Louisiana Tech are two games back with a 1-2 record while Hawai'i 3.5 games back with a 1-5 mark.
Diamond Discounts
The Fresno State Athletics Department in conjunction with Ovations is offering ticket/concession discount programs for the remainder of the Bulldogs' softball season. Offered during weekday games, Twin Packs showcase three different priced packages as it offers two seats, two hot dogs and two 22 oz. sodas ($13 to $25). The Family 4-Pack, which runs Fri.-Sun., also showcases three different priced packages as it offers four seats, four hot dogs and four 22 oz. sodas ($26 to $50). For more information on these Diamond Discounts, visit the Bulldogs' ticket page on line at gobulldogs.com.
Got Tickets? Get Free Food
Running throughout the season, fans who go on-line at gobulldogs.com can download a 2-for-1 coupon good for outfield general admission for weekday games and have a chance to receive food coupons good for Kentucky Fried Chicken and Wendy's. Fans who redeem the 2-for-1 coupon at the Bulldog ticket trailer will receive a coupon for a two piece meal at KFC as well as a quarter pound classic hamburger from Wendy's.
This Week's Opponent
Pacific (18-15): Pacific is coming off a 3-2 tournament mark at the Nevada Tournament ... The Tigers sandwiched three wins between a pair of losses ... UOP dropped a 13-5 (5 inn.) decision to McNeese State before winning three straight over Nevada (8-7, 2-1) and Utah Valley State (11-2, 5 inn.) ... The Tigers wrapped up tourney action with an 8-7, 8 inning loss to McNeese State ... With a 5-3 mark in its last eight games, Pacific is 6-6 in its last 12 ... Offensively, two left-handed batters are leading the way ... Senior left fielder Brandi Gordon is batting a team-high .370 (37-100) with 14 runs, three doubles, a triple, a home run and 13 RBI ... Sophomore first baseman Jennifer Curtier, who was named the Big West Conference Player of the Week after her performance at the Nevada tournament, is next and is hitting .365 (35-96) with 22 runs, six doubles and team-highs of 10 home runs and 37 RBI to go along with 71 total bases while slugging .740 ... In the circle, senior right-hander Natalie King is 10-5 with a shutout, one save and 81 strikeouts in 112.2 innings for a 3.54 ERA ... Freshman right-hander Alyce Jorgensen is 7-7 with two shutouts and 36 strikeouts in 86.0 innings for a 2.69 ERA ... Beginning a five-game homestand with the Bulldogs, Pacific is batting .283 (245-866) with 141 runs, 44 doubles, six triples and 24 home runs ... The team owns a team ERA of 3.68 with three shutouts and 128 strikeouts in 218.2 innings ... On the flip side, opponents are batting .283 (247-872) with 141 runs, 49 doubles, six triples and 21 home runs ... Opponent's ERA is 3.84 with six shutouts and 165 strikeouts in 217.0 innings ... Pacific is the second oldest series for Fresno State ... The Bulldogs own a 68-20-1 series advantage ... While the two schools split last year (2-2), Fresno State split a doubleheader in its last visit to Stockton (2003) ... While there has been 51 shutouts in the series, the Bulldogs have recorded 43 of those ... Fresno State, which opened the series by winning 31 of the first 44 meetings, has won six of the last nine, nine of the last 14 and 28 of the last 34 contests.
Southern Garners Third Straight Pitcher of the Week Honor; Ties WAC Mark
Tying the Western Athletic Conference's career selection for most conference pitcher of the week honors, senior All-America pitcher Jamie Southern (Clovis, Calif.) was named WAC Pitcher of the Week for the third consecutive week and fourth time of the season today. Garnering her 18th WAC Pitcher of the Week accolade, she shares the most career weekly honors bestowed upon a league pitcher with another former Bulldog All-America pitcher, Amanda Scott. Last week, Southern helped Fresno State to a 4-1 mark with a split over No. 5 Stanford and a three-game league sweep to open conference play at Hawai'i. Allowing just two runs (one earned) on 10 hits in 21.0 innings of work, Southern struck out 24 of the 70 batters faced as the opponents managed a .149 batting average against. Averaging 8.0 strikeouts per 7 innings pitched and recording her third Top 15 victory last week, Southern tossed a three-hitter and allowed one run while walking one and striking out seven Cardinal in the Bulldogs' 4-1 win over Stanford. In the two games pitched at Hawai'i, she recorded a shutout while scattering seven hits, yielding one run (unearned), walking three and striking out 17 (8.5 strikeouts per 7/IP) for a 0.00 ERA. Southern opened WAC play by tossing a one-hitter against UH while fanning 10 for her sixth 10-strikeout game of the season. In the second start against the Rainbow Wahine, she recorded her eighth shutout in 13 wins. Southern also became the school's record holder in innings pitched (976.2) and games started (131) while tying for most appearances (150) this past week. While winning her last eight starts to go along with a save in her last nine appearances, Southern has thrown a no-hitter, three one-hitters and a two-hitter in six of the eight starts. In her last eight starts, she has yielded five runs (four earned) on 21 hits with five shutouts and 67 strikeouts in 51.0 innings for a 0.55 ERA and a 9.2 strikeouts per 7/IP. In her last nine appearances, Southern has allowed just five runs (four earned) on 21 hits with five shutouts, a save and 73 strikeouts in 53.0 innings for a 0.53 ERA and 9.6 strikeouts per 7/IP.
Top 'Dog
Junior All-America shortstop Christina Clark (Santa Ana, Calif.) was the top `Dog last week. As the only Bulldog to hit better than .400, she hit .429 (6-14) with team-highs in hits, runs (4), total bases (9) and slugging percentage (.643). Clark became the new sultan of swat in WAC play as she hit her 47th career home run in Fresno State's 5-3 victory over Hawai'i. Ranked No. T22 in career home run in NCAA D1 history, Clark had two multiple hit games and scored two run in two games out of the three played against Hawai'i. With 11 multiple hit games and six multiple RBI games on the season, she batted .407 (11-27) with 11 runs, a double, two home runs, four walks, sacrifice fly, seven RBI and 18 total bases for a .667 slugging percentage in her last 10 games. Clark has a current three-game hit streak and is batting .455 (5-11) with four runs, a home run, a walk, a RBI and eight total bases for a .727 slugging percentage.
Week in Review
Fresno State went 4-1 last week as it split with No. 5 Stanford before winning three WAC games at Hawai'i ... Going 15-5 in their last 20 games, the Bulldogs played their second extra inning game as they went a season-high nine innings against UH; Fresno State is 2-0 in extra frames ... The `Dogs also had season-highs in at bats (33) and hit by pitch (3) in the second game versus the Rainbow Wahine as well as collecting their 11th 10-hit game of the year ... Fresno State improved to 12-1 in WAC openers as did head coach Margie Wright ... Wright notched her 1,150th career win in the Bulldogs' 1-0 win over Hawai'i ... The all-time winningest softball coach also is closing in on her 1,000th school victory as she is 13 shy ... Wright coached her 1,300th career game in the `Dogs 5-3 victory against UH ... The Bulldogs closed out March with a 17-6 mark ... With 131 career starts, Southern is not only one start shy of ranking No. 25 all-time in NCAA history for career starts but 23 strikeouts shy of becoming the 14th NCAA D1 pitcher to reach the 1,200 career strikeout plateau ... Last weekend, Southern became the school record holder in innings pitched, appearances and games started ... While being two hits shy of 200 in her career, Clark is 12 total bases shy of becoming the fifth Bulldog to collect 400 total bases.
Clark & Southern in the WAC's Annals
While Clark and Southern continue to climb up the school's career record book, both are making their mark in the WAC's annals as well. Of the six career pitching records kept by the WAC, Southern owns four of them while sitting just three wins shy and a save shy of moving into the No. 1 spot held by Scott. Of the 14 career hitting records kept by the WAC, Clark already ranks among the Top 10 in five offensive categories.
Returning 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 Nichole 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 Throws Perfect Game While Reaching 100 Career Win Plateau
Southern made her 100th career win memorable. As the 40th NCAA Division I pitcher to reach the 100-win plateau, she tossed her fourth career perfect game and sixth career no-hitter against Dartmouth on March 25. Striking out six in Fresno State's 8-0, 5 inning win over the Big Green, Southern threw the program's 13th perfect game and 57 no-hitter overall. Of the 13 perfect games recorded, eight have come at home. Of those eight, Southern has thrown three of her four at Bulldog Diamond. In addition, she became just the second WAC hurler to post 100 or more career victories. The other pitcher is former Bulldog All-America standout Amanda Scott, who is the WAC record holder with 106 victories. In addition, Southern also becomes just the third Bulldog pitcher to collect 100 wins as she joins Scott and Terry Carpenter (107). Still further, her six no-hitters moved her into a four-way tie for second place all-time in school history for career no-hitters. While she is the school record holder in perfect games, Southern is one no-no shy of tying Melanie Parrent's mark (7).
Keeping Good Company
Ranked in six NCAA Division I career pitching categories, Southern continues to move up the all-time charts. She moved into the Top 10 in shutouts (No. 10, 68) while ranking No. 15 in strikeouts (1,176), No. 16 in complete games (125), No. 25 in innings pitched (976.2), No. 29 in strikeout ratio (8.4) and No. 30 in victories (103). With 131 starts, Southern is one start shy of ranking 25th all-time. As the school record holder in six career categories to go along with 48 career 10-strikeout games, she still can collect some more Bulldog career marks as Southern sits one complete game, one no-hitter, one save, four wins and five shutouts shy of collecting five more all-time marks.
Making Sense of It
While there have been as many as 12 Top 25 teams on the Bulldogs' 2005 schedule, Fresno State has been rained out of 11 games and three have come against Top 25 schools in then No. 1 California (Feb. 13), then No. 13 Georgia (Feb. 20) and then No. 23 Northwestern (March 25). Fresno State has six Top 25 losses, including four top five, and all of them have come to higher ranked teams played at the time. The Bulldogs appear to have suffered in the official poll for those losses as they've dropped by as much as four spots. However, Fresno State has posted three top 15 victories (No. 5 Stanford, No. 10 LSU and No. 14 Washington) and for that the pollsters in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 has rewarded the Bulldogs just one spot up from their previous weekly ranking. The ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll has rewarded the 'Dogs more so as the pollsters have kept them in the top 20 in seven of the eight weekly polls released.
Young Guns
Trying to be successful and uncomfortable or fail and be comfortable are words that the Bulldogs are using to define themselves. While five starters are back what is deceiving is that Fresno State is still very young. There are three upperclassmen that are starting (Clark, Southern and Leticia Pacheco) but one is playing a new position (Pacheco). With sophomores Rachael Donaldson (left field) and Nichole Willis (catcher) also back as starters, the other starters on this year's squad are first year players in freshmen Kristin Sylvester (1B/DP), Shauna Johnson (1B), Amanda Nesbitt (P/UT) and Jenna Cervantez (2B) along with junior Daisy Gaynor (RF) and senior Kristy Villasenor (CF). Also breaking into the starting line up was freshman Mallory Perkins (OF) but she went down with a torn ACL on March 12. Fresno State's youth has shown at times. Of the eight losses, the Bulldogs have committed 19 errors and 15 have come against six top 25 teams. Unfortunately, those 15 errors have led to 18 unearned runs against the top 25. One top 25 team (No. 21 Florida State) came away with a 2-0 victory on two unearned runs. While being rained out of eight of their first 10 games could be a factor, each game that is being played on a consistent basis will allow the 'Dogs to gel defensively.
Home Cooking
While Fresno State has posted a 14-4 home field record this season, four Bulldogs have enjoyed hitting at home, starting with Sylvester. She is hitting .368 (14-38) with five runs, five doubles, a triple, six walks and seven RBI. Southern is batting .362 (21-58) with team-best 18 runs and 13 RBI to go along with five doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI. Clark is next and is hitting .358 (19-53) with 16 runs, a double, a triple, four home runs, seven walks and 11 RBI. Willis is batting .345 (19-55) with 14 runs, three doubles, two home runs, four walks and nine RBI. Note: Perkins was batting .474 (9-19) with three runs, a double, a walk, three sacrifices, 1-1 in stolen bases and three RBI before being lost for the season in the night cap against Saint Mary's on March 12. While the offense has been enjoyed by several Bulldogs, Southern has been stingy in the circle as well. She is 5-1 with three shutouts, a save and 50 strikeouts as opponents are batting .156 against.
Bulldogs on Fire
Willis, Clark and Southern have been hot over the last 16 games. Willis is hitting a team-high .400 (20-50) with 13 runs, team-best of seven doubles and 14 RBI and a home run. Clark is batting .349 (15-43) with 17 runs, a double, three home runs, 10 walks and nine RBI. Southern is right behind and is hitting .347 (17-49) with 13 runs, four doubles, two home runs, four walks and 11 RBI.
Hitting Streaks Set
Four Bulldogs have had significant hit streaks this season. Missing the first 10 games due to surgery, Sylvester owns a season-best eight-game hit streak in which she posted four multi hit games while hitting .600 (12-20) with six runs, four doubles, a triple, seven walks, nine RBI and 17 total bases for a .850 slugging percentage. Donaldson also posted an eight-game hit streak in which she had three multi hit games while batting .478 (11-23) with six runs, a double, a triple, two home runs, nine RBI and 21 total bases for a .913 slugging percentage. Making it eight straight as well was Willis, who had three multi hit performances and hit .541 (13-24) with 10 runs, four doubles, a home run, four walks, 10 RBI, 2-3 in stolen bases and 19 total bases for a .792 slugging percentage. Southern posted a seven-game hit streak and hit .375 (9-24) with eight runs, three doubles, a home run, two walks, four RBI and 15 total bases while slugging .625.
Home Run Leader
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. 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 became the WAC's all-time career home run leader on April 2 against Hawai'i when she hit a solo home run in the night cap. As the first Bulldog and WAC player to hit 20 home runs in a season, Clark had tied the WAC's career mark against No. 14 Washington on March 19 at the Kia Klassic.
Southern Back 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 two no-hitters, including a perfect game. She has pitched eight shutouts in 13 wins while tallying six 10-strikeout games. This season, Southern's strike to walk ratio is 9.1 while averaging 9.50 strikeouts per 7 innings.
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, 18 grand slams have been recorded in Bulldog softball history as Clark has four of them. Three of them have been hit at home as Clark, who connected against UC Santa Barbara on March 11, 2005 and Louisiana Tech on May 10, 2003 along with Donaldson, who hit one against UC Santa Barbara on March 11 as well, account for the grand hits at home. Last season, Clark hit two and both came on the road. The most grand slams hit in a season by a Bulldog team has been three, twice (2004 and 1998). This year, two have been recorded.
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Entering the 2005 season Clark ranked in three career Fresno State offensive marks. After 27 games of play, she has pushed her all-time career home run mark to 47 while ranking fifth in total bases (388) and seventh in runs (151) and RBI (123). In addition, Clark posted a 17-game hit streak that ranks No. 5 all-time in school history. Dating back to April 29, 2004 and running through Feb. 26, 2005, the hitting streak saw Clark bat .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 NCAA Statistics
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. 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.
Southern Throws Fifth Career No-Hitter to Open Season
As the starting pitcher in the first game of the season against Utah, Southern became the first Bulldog pitcher to open a season with a no-hitter as Fresno State defeated the Utes, 5-0, on Feb. 17. She recorded her fifth career no-hitter and struck out 14 in her 120th career appearance in the circle. The 14 strikeout performance was her 43rd career 10-plus strikeout game as she posted her 91st career win en route to her 61st career shutout victory.
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.
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 201 of the 213 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.
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, is a guest speaker a various community organizations as well as work with young children in readings and sports.
Making History
For the first time in WAC history, Southern became the first softball player to sweep player and pitcher of the week awards at one time. In addition, she went on to garner USA Softball National Player of the Week as well as LouisvilleSlugger/NFCA National Player of the Week honors after aun outstanding performance at the 10th NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. 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 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. She hit 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 at the tournament, she became just the fifth Bulldog to post 20 or more career home runs. 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's sweep of the national player of the week awards made her the second Bulldog to accomplish that feat as Clark swept the same honors last year for the week of April 13/14.
Southern Top Draft Pick in LPFA Senior Draft
The Ladies Professional Fastpitch Association, a new professional venue for fastpitch players, announced its 2005 College Senior Draft and All-American Jamie Southern was the No. 1 draft choice. Southern is the third Bulldog overall and second softball player to be a top draft choice by a professional organization. Out of the the 27-player draft, four of the top five draft selections were pitchers. Former Bulldogs Laura Berg and Randi Berg have also joined the professional ranks with the LPFA as they both signed contracts in mid-March. The three teams comprising this league will be announced by the end of March. The LPFA will conduct tour stops around the country beginning at the end of May. These three teams will scrimmage each other in a round robin tournament format at designated sites, which will be announced at a later date. LPFA Tour will bring the world's best professional fastpitch softball players together with amateur communities across the United States. During each tour players, coaches and staff will incorporate youth and coach instruction, player mentoring and corporate endorsement into their schedule of games.
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 Amanda Scott. 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).
From Bulldog to Professional Manager
The 2004 World Champion New York/New Jersey Juggernaut announced a new head coach and general manager in Julie Smith, a former Fresno State softball All-American and 1996 USA Olympic Softball gold medalist, last January. Having played professional softball, she was the No. 6 pick in the first round of the 1996 Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL) amateur draft. 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 in addition to being a two-time Pan Am gold medalist. In her two-year career at Fresno State, Smith was a two-time First Team All-American. With the Bulldogs being the NCAA runner up in 1990, she led the NCAA in hits (93), runs (55) and at bats (263) that same year.
WCWS MVP to NPF MVP to Professional Pitching Coach
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. Helping the Juggernaut to a 44-22 overall record, Scott finished the year at 18-7 with two saves and 160 strikeouts in 179.0 innings for a 0.86 ERA. On March 4, Scott retired from professional ball and became the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut pitching coach.
Bulldogs Bring Home Olympic Gold; Berg to Play Professional Ball
Playing in her third straight Olympics last summer, 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 last summer, it was Berg who patrolled center field for Team USA for the third straight Olympics as it captured its third consecutive gold medal. In 2000, Berg had the game-winning hit 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 against China. Berg will make her professional debut again by playing for the LPFA this summer.
