Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Ranked Nationally in Pre-Season Polls
1/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 26, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - With the 2010 softball season just two weeks away, the pre-season top 25 polls have been released and to no surprise the Fresno State Bulldogs are once again ranked among the nation's best.
Entering her 25th season as head coach of the Bulldogs, Margie Wright has helped guide the 'Dogs to an NCAA record 28-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) ranked the Bulldogs No. 25 in this year's pre-season poll. The 'Dogs were as high as No. 14 in the 2009 NFCA poll and ended the year just outside of the top 25 and receiving votes.
The defending National Champion Washington Huskies are the pre-season favorite and one of 14 Bulldog opponents in 2010 to be ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes. Western Athletic Conference rivals Nevada and Hawai'i are receiving votes.
The ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 ranks the 'Dogs 24th. This poll also left the 'Dogs out of the final poll last year but did give Fresno State votes. Washington is also the favorite in this poll. In all, 11 Bulldog opponents are in the top 25 or receiving votes, including WAC teams Nevada and New Mexico State.
Under Wright, the Bulldogs have had a final Top 25 ranking every year but twice
Since 1988, the 'Dogs have been the top-ranked team five times while appearing in the No. 2 spot 35 times, No. 3 slot 32 times and No. 4 spot 20 times
Fresno State owns a school-best streak of 178-consecutive weeks in the nation's top 25 and has been ranked in the top 10 for 154 weeks since 1983.
To view the complete top 25 polls log on to www.usasoftball.com and www.nfca.org.
"We Are Your Team" - The 2010 Fresno State softball season begins at Bulldog Diamond on Friday, Feb. 12 with a doubleheader vs. Santa Clara beginning at 6 p.m. Season tickets go on sale Jan. 13.
