Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Head to Stockton, Host Hawai'i
3/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 30, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 23 Fresno State softball team has won two-straight and seven out of its last eight, as the Bulldogs look to extend that streak by playing a single game vs. Pacific in Stockton, Calif., at 2 p.m. on Tuesday and then kick-off of the month of April by hosting Western Athletic Conference rival Hawai'i in a three-game series Friday and Saturday at Bulldog Diamond. Fresno State is atop the WAC standings with a 5-1 record and has an 11-2 record at Bulldog Diamond.
Scouting Pacific
A doubleheader between Fresno State and Pacific was originally scheduled the second week of the season, but due to weather on Valentines Day the two teams rescheduled for a single game on Tuesday in Stockton at 2 p.m. The game will be played at Bill Simoni Field. Pacific is 15-18 overall, 0-3 in the Big West Conference and 5-3 at home. They have lost five-straight, including games vs. No. 4 Stanford and No. 12 Cal. They most recently were swept in conference play by Cal State Northridge. The Tigers are led by Nicole Matson who hits .402 on the season. Four other Pacific batters hit .326 or higher. In the circle, four pitchers have seen action, with Chelsea Engle making the most appearances (22) with a 6-8 record and a 4.23 ERA. This is the 10th-straight year the `Dogs and the Tigers have faced off and the 98th time overall in a series that began in 1978, the founding year of Bulldog softball. The Bulldogs lead the overall series 75-21-1 and have won the last two and the past nine out of 10. Fresno State swept Pacific on opening day in 2008, 5-1 and 3-2 at Bulldog Diamond.
Scouting Hawai'i
Hawai'i is currently in fifth place in the WAC standings with a 3-3 record. The Rainbow Wahine has a 15-19 overall record. Last week, Hawai'i went 1-2 vs. Nevada on the islands in WAC play. They are led by Amanda Tauali'i with a .376 batting average, 10 home runs and 27 RBI's. Stephanie Ricketts, a freshman in the circle for Hawai'i, leads the team with a 1.94 ERA, 10-6 record and 114 strikeouts. The Bulldogs lead the overall series 58-13 but Hawai'i won the last meeting in the WAC Tournament in 2008 in Hawai'i.
Cancer Awareness/Blood Drive Night April 3
Fresno State has paired up once again with the American Cancer Society for the annual Cancer Awareness Night at Bulldog Diamond. This year, the Central California Blood Center has also partnered up the same night for the event. The Blood Mobile will be in front of Bulldog Diamond from 4-8 p.m. and anyone that donates that day will receive a t-shirt specifically made for the event and a discount coupon to get into Friday night's game at 6 p.m. vs. Hawai'i. The ACS is celebrating 25 Years of Hope on the 25th Anniversary of Relay for Life as 25 survivors will be honored prior to Friday's game on the field along with former Bulldog softball player and cancer survivor Rachael Donaldson who will be throwing out the first pitch.
Louisiana Tech Game Time Changes
The Bulldogs doubleheader vs. Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., on April 11 has been pushed back two hours and will now begin at 1 p.m. PST.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs' continue WAC play against Hawai'i. The `Dogs and Rainbow Wahine play Friday night at 6 pm and close out the series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon starting at 1 pm. Friday night is Cancer Awareness Night and Saturday is Youth Softball Day. All youth softball teams are invited to take the field for the National Anthem. Special ticket packages for all youth softball teams can be purchased by calling the group sales coordinator at 244-5621. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
