Fresno State Athletics
Wende Ward to be Honored Friday
2/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif.- Prior to the Fresno State softball matchup versus UC Riverside at 6 p.m. on Friday, former Bulldog pitcher Wende Ward (Lourenco) will be honored by the softball program, as announced by head coach Trisha Ford.
"Having my number retired is the ultimate honor," Ward said. "I'm so grateful for the life lessons I learned playing for the Fresno State softball team."
On March 22, 1987, Ward became the second female athlete and sixth Fresno State student-athlete to have a jersey number retired after the Fresno State athletics department retired her No. 19 following a stellar career.
Ward will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and the reveal of a banner commemorating her success as a Fresno State student-athlete will follow, before the Bulldogs' game against the Highlanders.
As a 1982 second-team All-American, Ward helped the `Dogs to a second-place finish at the 1982 NCAA Women's College World Series in Omaha, Neb. During her career at Fresno State (1980-83) the right-hander rewrote the Bulldog softball record book by posting the all-time record in hits, at-bats, runs, doubles, home runs, runs batted in, pitching victories, complete games, innings pitched and strikeout during her tenure.
Ward owns six of the 71 no-hitters tossed by 20 different Bulldog pitchers and recorded two perfect games in the circle for the `Dogs - San Francisco State (April 23, 1982) and Santa Clara (April 6, 1983).
As of 2015, Ward remains in the top 10 career pitching record book for earned run average (0.61), fewest earned runs allowed (77), appearances (118), games started (107), wins (77-36), complete games (107) , innings pitched (877.1), consecutive scoreless innings pitched (35), strikeouts (691), shutouts (48) and no-hitters (6).
In addition to numerous records, Ward was a four-time Fresno State Most Valuable Player, San Joaquin Valley Sportswriters University Female Athlete of the Year, a two-time Fresno State Harry Coffee Female Athlete of the Year, Northwest Region All-District first team selection and a three-time NorCal All-Conference first team choice.
Following Ward's career at Fresno State, the No. 19 has been worn twice since 1983. Chris Elze wore the number in 1985 as a senior infielder, followed by freshman Kristen Morgado in 1986 before the No. 19 was retired in 1987.
Ward played under head coach Donna Pickel (1978-85) who was assisted by Barbara Avila and Ralph Salazar. During her four-season career at Fresno State, she guided the `Dogs to a pair of NorCal first-place finishes and posted an overall team record of 134-63, and a pitching mark of 77-36 and an 0.61 earned run average as a member of the Bulldog softball program.
Fresno State will play its home opener at Margie Wright Diamond on Friday, Feb. 13 at 3:45 p.m. against Santa Clara and will be followed by the 6 p.m. matchup against UC Riverside.
Children, 12 and under, who wear a jersey will receive free admission to both games.
"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.
