Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Head to Judi Garman in Fullerton
3/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 11, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
FRESNO, Calif. -After an impressive win the Bayer CropScience Classic finale on Sunday over No. 9 Cal and two shutout wins over Temple on Tuesday night, the `Dogs head back to Southern California to the Cal State Fullerton Judi Garman Classic. Fresno State didn't move in the two top 25 polls this week, staying at No. 21 in the USA Softball poll and No. 24 in the NFCA poll.
The Bulldogs have arguably their toughest five-game stretch of the season this week from Thursday-Sunday as they take on five top 25 teams in a tournament the `Dogs won last year with a perfect 5-0 record. Fresno State is 13-8 on the year and now has won three-straight and five out of their last six. This will be the Bulldogs final test before WAC play begins at home next week on March 20 vs. San Jose State.
Scouting Michigan
Michigan is ranked No. 10 in both top 25 polls this week after falling to No. 20 Louisville 3-2 in eight innings last week. They also defeated Bradley, Ohio University and Tennessee Tech. The Wolverines boast a 16-6 record and are 1-4 against top 25 teams with the only win coming over UCLA 7-4. Amanda Chidester leads them at the plate hitting .380 with five doubles and 27 hits. Both pitchers for Michigan have been impressive early as Nikki Nemitz is 10-3 with a 0.95 ERA and 118 strikeouts and Jordan Taylor is 6-3 with a 1.00 ERA And 108 strikeouts. Taylor threw a no-hitter in the win over Tennessee Tech. Fresno State leads the overall series with Michigan 7-3 earning the 6-5 victory last year in the Judi Garman Classic. Bulldog ace Morgan Melloh earned the win in that game and Taylor took the loss.
Scouting Florida State
Florida State will be the third team from the Atlantic Coast Conference that Fresno State has faced this season. The Bulldogs are 2-0 against the conference, defeating Maryland and North Carolina earlier in the season. The Seminoles have been in-and-out of the polls this season and this week jumped back in at No. 24 and No. 25. Florida State has won six out of its last seven and has a 18-5 record after taking two of three from UNC this past weekend. They are led with four hitters batting .300 or higher and six batters that have 10 RBI's or more. The strikeouts leader in the circle for FSU is Sarah Hamilton with 116 and a 6-2 record. This will be the first meeting between Fresno State and Florida State since 2005. Florida State has won the last two vs. the `Dogs. Fresno State swept the series in 2000.
Scouting Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Lafayette has won 12 in a row and defeated Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech (twice) this past weekend. The Ragin Cajuns are 13-2 on the year and ranked No. 16/19 in the country. ULL has two players hitting over .400 in Melissa Verde (.468) and Karli Hubbard (.542) who have each played and started in all 15 games. The Ragin Cajuns will face their first ranked teams this week in the Judi Garman after their toughest schedule in the NFCA Leadoff Classic was rained out. Fresno State and ULL are 2-2 all time vs. each other taking turn winning games. The last meeting was a 3-1 ULL victory in 2007.
Scouting Washington
Washington is No. 2/3 in this week's polls after falling from the No. 1 spot last week after a loss to previous No. 1 Alabama and to No. 11 Georgia. Those were the first two loses of the season for the Huskies who are now 20-2 on the year. Danielle Lawrie has been impressive for UW in the circle with a 15-1 record and a 0.27 ERA. She has 161 strikeouts and allowed only four earned runs in 103.1 innings pitched. Two Huskies are batting over .400, led by Ashlyn Watson at a .466 average, six home runs and 18 RBI's. The overall series between UW and Fresno State gives Fresno State the advantage at 8-7. The `Dogs won the last meeting, 8-3, back in 2005.
Scouting DePaul
DePaul is 9-4 on the year and ranked No. 20/23 in this week's polls. The Blue Demons have big wins over Michigan and Oregon State early in the season. They are led by Amber Patton who is hitting .500 with 24 hits. Becca Heteniak and Annie Demas are both batting over .400. Heteniak is 4-3 in the circle with a 2.50 ERA and 45 strikeouts. The Bulldogs defeated DePaul 4-2 in last year's Bingham Toyota Classic at Fresno State and lead the overall series 6-4.
Scheduling Note: The Fresno State vs. DePaul game time has been changed to 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 15 and will now be played at Mt. SAC. To get to Mt. SAC from the Fullerton campus, take the 57 north, exit on Grand Ave, go North on Grand for approximately four miles, turn right on Temple then a right at the first signal light, Mt. Sac Way and the softball field should be on the right hand side.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs' travel south to the Judi Garman Classic hosted by Cal State Fullerton March 12-15. The `Dogs return home to battle WAC rival San Jose State March 20-21. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
