Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Add Seven Newcomers
10/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. -- The Fresno State softball team is excited to announce its 2016 roster containing seven newcomers and 16 returners, led by fourth-year head coach Trisha Ford.
Ford and her staff have added five freshmen and two transfers to the 23-person roster as the Bulldogs look to carry momentum into the 2016 season after a 2015 Mountain West Championship and postseason appearance at the NCAA Eugene Regional.
The 2016 freshmen class consists of Kamalani Dung, Morgan Howe, Dominique Jackson, Kaitlyn Jennings and Kira McKechnie while the team also welcomes sophomore transfer Claire Stucker and junior transfer Lindsey Willmon.
As a Central Valley native, Stucker returns to Fresno after serving as a pinch hitter for Mississippi State during her first collegaite season. The right-handed power hitter has defensive experience in the circle and on the corners while posting a batting average of .333 during her single season in Starkville, Miss. She graduated from Bullard High School in 2014 with several program records including total career home runs.
This season's returning sophomore class contains Wendy Cardinali, Katie Castellon, Brooke Coates, Vanessa Hernandez, Chase LeeHong and Victoria Trevino. Of the six returners, LeeHong earned a starting position at first base as a freshman and led last year's newcomers with a .245 batting average and the team's second-best fielding percentage (.992) in 46 appearances.
For the second consecutive year, Fresno State has acquired a junior transfer from Hawaii, this season Willmon joins the squad as a utility player from Elk Grove, Calif., after competing in centerfield, left field and behind the plate in all but five games over two years. She concluded her sophomore season with a .271 batting average (38-for-140), including four home runs, one triple, two stolen bases and 20 runs scored while making 95 game starts.
Among the three-person junior class, Kierra Willis served as the Bulldogs starting left fielder with a top-five offensive finish last season while pacing the team in triples (9), home runs (8), slugging percentage (.667) and total runs batted in (55). Middle infield transfer, Malia Rivers had a second-best .371 batting average at the season's end while claiming 72 hits as the `Dogs number two batter. Christina Rodriguez enters her third year as an avid base runner, helping Fresno State to 19 runs with seven stolen bases in 630 appearances.
Fresno State bid farewell to five seniors at the conclusion of the 2015 season but looks to return over half of its upperclassmen, including eight seniors and four juniors, five of which were 2015 All-Mountain West selections -- Jill Compton, Hannah Harris, Malia Rivers, Whitney Smith and Kierra Willis. In addition, Ford was named the MW Coach of the Year while the pitcher-catcher duo of Compton and Paige Gumz were tabbed the Pitcher and Defensive Player of the Year.
For what is the largest senior class during Ford's tenure, Fresno State boasts eight Bulldogs revisiting the roster to compete in their final collegiate season. Standout pitcher Jill Compton returns to the circle after guiding the `Dogs to 28-of-40 wins last season, along with fellow pitchers Hannah Harris (9-3) and Taylor Langdon (3-1). Three-year starting catcher Paige Gumz, middle infielder Whitney Smith, transfer third baseman Alyssa Villalpando and outfielders Bria Kennedy and Victoria Trevino round out the senior class revisiting this year's roster.
Last season, Villalpando received second-team All-Region honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, while Compton was named to the first-team Pacific All-Region. Villalpando spent her summer break taking advantage of the opportunity to compete for the Mexican National Softball Federation before returning for her senior season.
Fresno State looks to showcase its talented squad, competing in five contests at Margie Wright Diamond starting this Wednesday, Oct. 2, opening the fall season against a National Professional Fastpitch program, the USSSA Pride.
Tickets for the 7 p.m., fall opener can be purchased for $5 at the Bulldog Ticket Office located on the northeast corner of the Save Mart Center or the main entrance of the softball stadium on the day of competition. The remaining four fall games will feature free admission.
"Be Bold!" - The official home of the Fresno State Softball is 790 AM ESPN2 The Deuce. For ticket information contact the Bulldog Ticket Office at 559-278-3647 or log on to www.gobulldogs.com.
