Fresno State Athletics
Dogs on Quest for 4th WAC Tourney Title
5/10/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
• 2011 Fresno State WAC Tournament Notes 
• 2011 Fresno State's WAC Tournament Central
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State (31-15, 15-6 WAC) will host Louisiana Tech (12-32, 3-15 WAC) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the opening round of the 2011 Western Athletic Conference Tournament.
The third-seeded Bulldogs and sixth-seeded Lady Techsters met in a three-game series in Ruston when Fresno State swept the WAC-opening series between the programs.
Bulldogs Enter 2011 WAC Tournament as No. 3 Seed
After earning a share of second place in WAC regular season play, Fresno State will enter the 2011 WAC Tournament as the No. 3 seed. The event returns to Bulldog Diamond this week for the first time since 2009. All-session and single day tournament tickets are on sale through the Bulldog Ticket Office, by calling (559) 278-DOGS or visiting www.gobulldogs.com. The four-day affair will award an automatic NCAA berth to the winner.
Fresno State Sports Six Top 25 Wins, NCAA RPI of 32
On the season, Fresno State is 31-15 with six wins over Top 25 teams for a 6-4 mark against nationally ranked, including a 3-1 win over now-No. 2/2 Michigan. The Bulldogs also sport a WAC-leading RPI of 32 in the latest NCAA RPI. Four WAC schools are ranked in the national Top 75: Fresno State (32), Hawai'i (57), New Mexico State (64), and Boise State (72).
Fresno State's 2011 Top 25 Wins
• Fresno State 3, No. 5/6 Michigan 1 [March 19, 2011]
• Fresno State 6, No. 8/10 Missouri 3 [February 18, 2011]
• Fresno State 4, No. 19/18 Oklahoma State 3 [February 25, 2011]
• Fresno State 5, No. 20/25 Hawai'i 0 [April 1, 2011]
• Fresno State 2, No. 20/25 Hawai'i 1 [April 2, 2011]
• Fresno State 2, No. 20/25 Hawai'i 0 [April 2, 2011]
PREVIEW: Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters
• Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters [WAC] (Wednesday - 7 p.m. PT)
- The LA Tech Lady Techsters are 15-37 this year, 6-16 on the road and 6-15 in WAC play
- Fresno State leads the all-time series with Louisiana Tech, 30-5
- In the circle, Megan Krieg is 10-22 on the season with a 3.25 ERA over 213.1 innings
- At the plate, Cassie Krieg sports a Lady Techster-best .299 batting average
- Louisiana Tech earned the six-seed in this week's WAC Tournament
Ortiz Named Top Female Newcomer & George Ilg Award Winner
Brooke Ortiz was honored as Fresno State's top female newcomer during the department's annual Night of Champions. As a starting freshman infielder and versatile left-handed slapper, her speed and power make her a threat to score every time she steps to the plate. Ortiz also excels in the classroom and made the President's List last fall with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
DOG WATCH: Bulldogs Climbing into Record Books
• Haley Gilleland is Fresno State's all-time stolen base leader (84) & 25-for-28 this year
• Haley Gilleland is fifth all-time in the WAC in stolen bases (84) - five shy of fourth
• Haley Gilleland is sixth all-time at Fresno State in career hit by pitch (24)
• Michelle Moses is second all-time at Fresno State in career home runs (41)
• Three Bulldogs (Angene, Moses and Stiglich) have hit grand slams this season
Fresno State Holds Record for 29 NCAA Tournament Appearances
Fresno State is the nation's only program to have qualified for all 29 NCAA Tournaments in the Division I sport's history. The Bulldogs have appeared in 12 of the 29 NCAA Women's College World Series and secured the school's first Division I national championship in 1998.
Dogs Power Past Then-No. 8 Missouri, Smash Three Home Runs
The Fresno State softball team blasted three home runs and played spectacular defense despite a steady swirling wind and late game rain to beat then-No. 8/10 Missouri 6-3 at the San Diego State Softball Stadium. Junior Michelle Moses earned her first victory in the circle of the year with her 12th career complete game and blasted the game-winning three-run home run. The Bulldogs are now 9-0 all-time against the Tigers. Missouri had run-ruled then-No. 22 San Diego State 9-1 and advanced to the 2010 Women's College World Series.
Fresno State Finished Sweep, Downed Then-No. 19 Oklahoma State
The Fresno State softball team made another emphatic statement on the first day of the Cathedral City Classic with a 4-3 win over No. 19 Oklahoma State and a 4-1 victory over the ACC's Virginia in the prestigious Cathedral City Classic. No. 19 Oklahoma State was the second team ranked in the Top 20 that the Bulldogs beat in an eight-day span. Rebecca Hall's spark of a four-run second inning proved to be enough after senior Haley Gilleland smoked a two-run double to the left field fence for the game winning double.
Bulldogs Beat Now-No. 2/2 Michigan with Explosive Inning, Oakes' Gem
The Bulldogs' bats erupted in an explosive fourth inning rally to blaze by No. 5/6 Michigan 3-1 in their Judi Garman Classic finale on Saturday morning. After Michigan scored an unearned run in the first, Fresno State's first baseman Michelle Moses started the fireworks with a solo home run in the fourth. Junior Mackenzie Oakes tossed a gem and contained a potent Wolverine offense to register her second win in a two-day span over a Big Ten opponent.
Bulldogs Record 4-1 Mark Against 2010 WCWS Schools in 2011
In 2011, Fresno State recorded a 4-1 record against three schools that participated in the 2010 Women's College Series. The Dogs beat then-No. 8/10 Missouri 6-3 in the SD Classic I before losing to then-No. 4/4 Washington 10-0 (6) during the Judi Garman Classic. In the final three games, Fresno State swept then-No. 20/25 Hawai'i (5-0, 2-1 and 2-0).
Bulldogs to Host 2011 WAC Softball Tournament May 11-14
Fresno State will serve as the hosts for the 2011 Western Athletic Conference Softball Tournament from May 11-14. The top six schools qualify for the double-elimination tournament with the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament awarded to the winner. The Bulldogs have won three WAC Tournament titles (2009, `07 and 1999) and 10 of the past 15 regular season WAC championships. Ticket information is at www.gobulldogs.com.
2011 WAC Tournament All-Session Tickets on Sale
All-session tickets for the 2011 WAC Softball Tournament hosted by Fresno State at Bulldog Diamond May 11-14 are on sale now. The all-session pass is good for all 10 games (11 if the second game on Saturday is necessary). Single day tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Tuesday, May 10. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gobulldogs.com, over the phone at (559) 278-3647 or at the Bulldog Ticket Office.
Fresno State Continues to Perform as the WAC's Premier Program
With its strong commitment to premier athletic competition and academic performance, Fresno State finished second in the 2009-10 Western Athletic Conference Commissioner's Cup standings and remained the best program throughout the eight years of the award. Since the 2002-03 academic year when the Cup race started, Fresno State has scored a WAC-best 679.5 points for an average of 84.94 points per academic year. The Bulldogs rank first among the current WAC institutions with an average finish of 2.375, ahead of Boise State (3.63) and Nevada (3.88) as the top three WAC schools. Fresno State is also one of two repeat Cup winners (2007-08 & 2008-09), along with Rice University (2003-04 & 2004-05).
"We Are You Team!" - Fresno State will host the 2011 Western Athletic Conference Tournament May 11-14. Tickets are available by calling 278-DOGS or visiting the 2011 WAC Tournament Central. You can always stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@FSAthletics).
