Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Head South for Mary Nutter Classic
2/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
This Week:
Mary Nutter Classic
Friday-Sunday, Feb. 20-22, 2015
Big League Dreams Park- Cathedral City, Calif.
Weekend Preview
Fresno State softball (7-3-0) looks to continue its non-conference slate at the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City, Calif., Feb. 20-22 for the second away trip in the third week of season. During the three-day tournament, the `Dogs will face No. 25 Texas and Ohio State on Friday, Stanford on Saturday and will conclude the final day of the Mary Nutter Classic on Sunday with Oklahoma State and Loyola Marymount.
No. 25 Texas (7-3)
The Bulldogs start the weekend against No. 25 Texas, a 2014 NCAA Regional Finalist, on Friday for what will be the second consecutive matchup and the 13th overall. The Longhorns return five position starters and three pitchers from last year's third place finish in the Big 12 (12-6), and welcomes four newcomers to the squad. Texas holds an overall record of 7-3 after picking up three wins at the ASU Kajikawa Classic and defeating all but Wichita State at the Texas Classic last weekend. The team has made six World Series appearances with Connie Clark at the helm of the Longhorn program in her 19th year after starting the University of Texas' softball program in 1996.
Ohio State (7-1)
For the second and final game on Friday, the `Dogs will face Ohio State for the 13th time in which Fresno State holds an even 6-6 record with the Buckeyes. Making up Ohio State's 22 person roster is five field starters and three returning pitchers who are headed by third-year Kelly Kovach Schoenly (64-47) and assisted by Jenna Hall and Amanda Buchholz. The Buckeyes swept opening weekend with wins over Southern Illinois, UNBC and tournament host Charleston Southern. At the Maverick Invitational last weekend, Ohio State picked up an additional two wins over Sam Houston State and Incarnate Word before falling to UT Arlington and ending the three-day tournament with a victory over Buffalo.
Stanford (8-4)
Fresno State's one-game slate on Saturday will include matchup with the Cardinal at 7:30 p.m. Saturday's game will be the 29th meeting between the two programs in which the `Dogs hold the 15-13 all-time record. Though not ranked in the top 25, Stanford made the list of programs receiving votes with 16 as of Tuesday after posting an 8-4 record with notable wins over No. 25 Texas (10-9) and No. 3 Alabama (4-1). Stanford is led by first-year head coach Rachel Hanson who is assisted by Megan Langenfeld and Dorian Shaw. Seven freshmen join the Stanford team that finished the 2014 season 30-25 and boasts victories against seven NCAA Tournament qualifiers.
Oklahoma State (2-5)
In his ninth season at the helm of the Cowgirl softball program, head coach Rich Wieligman led OSU to its seventh Women's College World Series appearance in 2011 and has posted an overall coaching record of 228-170. Oklahoma State's roster of 18 includes a senior class of only two and welcomed five freshmen to the squad this season. The Cowgirl softball team was selected to finish fourth in the Big 12 Conference this season behind No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 7 Baylor and No. 25 Texas. Last season, OSU finished with a 26-28 overall record (5-13 Big 12) where they fell to 14 ranked opponents and lost 13 games by only one run.
Loyola Marymount (3-5)
Prior to this weekend's tournament, the Lions opened season at the Cal State Fullerton Easton Invitational where they fell to Sacramento State and picked up two victories over Northwestern State before heading to the University of Arizona Hillenbrand Invitational. In Tucson, Ariz. Loyola Marymount faced Loyola Chicago, No. 13 Arizona, Drake University, Wright State and San Jose State where they posted a weekend record of 1-4. In his 21st season, the Lions are headed by Gary Ferrin (667-510-1), LMU's most successful coach in the program's history. Last season, the Lions finished with an overall record of 20-27 and placed sixth in the West Coast Conference (1-13).
Kick-Off Recap
The Bulldog softball team put on its first tournament of the season at Margie Wright Diamond last weekend, hosting Santa Clara, UC Riverside, Sacramento State, UC Davis and No. 21 California. Fresno State (7-3) defeated Santa Clara (2-0) on Friday and during Saturday's play picked up victories over UC Davis (8-5) and Santa Clara (2-1) in their second meeting of the weekend. UC Riverside topped the `Dogs (4-2) on Friday night in what was a seventh inning comeback for the Highlanders after being down 2-1. On Sunday, the Bulldogs concluded the Fresno State Kick-Off tournament facing No. 21 California where the Bears came out on top with a 14-9 victory after trailing the `Dogs for the first three consecutive innings. The high-scoring battle was highlighted by Michelle Solomon's impressive four runs batted in, Alyssa Villalpando's first collegiate home run and Brenna Moss who went 4-for-5 to allow reaching home three times for the `Dogs.
About the `Dogs
The Fresno State softball team kicked off their 2015 campaign at the Arizona State Kajikawa Classic on Friday, Feb. 6 in Tempe, Ariz., where they posted an overall record of 4-1 in the three-day tournament. The `Dogs are led by third-year head coach Trisha Ford who is assisted by Sara Pickering and Carly Wynn. The 21 California natives who make up the 2015 Fresno State softball roster will play a 30-game stretch before conference play begins on Friday, March 20 against the Colorado State Rams. The crowded group of talented newcomers helps ease the offensive loss of four `Dog starters at the conclusion of the 2014 season.
Stealing Records
Senior Brenna Moss is on track to set the record for the most career stolen bases. Moss currently sits in second with 85, only one shy of all-time school career record holder Haley Gilleland (2011) with 86. Of the 92 stolen base attempts last season, the `Dogs found success 75 times with the lefty slapper accounting for nearly half (34). Moss is ranked 18th nationally in stolen bases after tallying 11 her freshman year (2012), 34 as a sophomore (2013), 34 again her junior year (2014) and four after the first five games of the 2015 season.
Honoring Bulldog Talent
The first night of the Fresno State Kick-Off served as not only the 2015 home opener, but a memorable night for former Bulldog pitcher Wende Ward who was only the second Fresno State student-athlete to have a jersey number retired. Ward's No. 19 was honored on Friday, Feb. 13 prior to the `Dogs 6 p.m., game as she threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and a banner commemorating her success as a Bulldog was proudly hung on the stadium press box. On Jan. 6, the Bulldog softball program announced the retirement of former Bulldog All-American Laura Berg's No. 44 jersey during the first annual Fresno State Louisville Slugger Bash on Feb. 28. The ceremony will be held at Margie Wright Diamond prior to the `Dogs matchup with Oregon State, in which Berg has entered her third season at the helm of the Beavers' softball program.
Weekly Honors
Junior pitcher Jill Compton was named Sysco Student-Athlete of the Week on Monday, Feb. 9 after helping Fresno State to a 4-1 mark over the weekend at the ASU Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. Compton logged a 3-1 record in the 'Dogs five game slate and took the mound for 21.2 of the 33 total innings played over the three-day stretch. The right-handed ace tied her 2014 season-high with nine strikeouts against Ole Miss, giving up only one hit and accumulating seven of her nine strikeouts in the first four innings.
Tune In
Don't miss any Bulldog softball action this year, fans that are unable to make the game can tune into 790 AM The Deuce, the official home of Fresno State softball, with ESPN2 host Christian Lukens. The Mountain West Network also streams home games live at www.themw.com, or fans are encouraged to visit gobulldogs.com to follow the Bulldogs on GameTracker.
Tabbed First in Preseason Poll
The Mountain West released the 2015 Preseason Poll on Tuesday Feb. 3 announcing Fresno State as the preseason favorite to win the MW regular season title. The annual preseason poll is voted on by the league's nine head coaches. The Bulldogs acquired 63 votes, including seven first-place votes, placing the `Dogs nine points higher than runner-up, San Diego State (54), who received one first-place vote. UNLV was tabbed to finished third with 44 points and the final first-place vote, placing the Rebels ahead of Colorado State (43) by only one point. San Jose State (34), Boise State (33), Nevada (26), Utah State (18) and New Mexico (9) rounded out the preseason poll.
Upper-Class Pitching Staff
The Bulldogs return the four-person junior pitching class consisting of Jill Compton, Hannah Harris, Taylor Langdon and Kiley Shae Aldridge. As the teams right-handed ace, Compton picked up NFCA All-Region second-team honors last season after she led the conference in lowest opposing average and strikeouts looking with an ERA of 2.17. Harris was a All-MW second-team selection and enjoyed a top 10 conference ranking in fewest home runs allowed, ERA and fewest walks last season. Langdon topped the MW conference last year in saves and recorded a season- high of four strikeouts in 2.2 innings. Aldridge, a redshirt junior, logged one of the team's most impressive efforts last spring in her start against No. 6 Washington, earning her Pitcher of the Week honors.
Bulldog Seniority
Two of the top projected returnees in 2015 are junior Jill Compton, a two-time Mountain West choice, and Brenna Moss, who was also a repeated All-MW pick and named MW Defensive Player of the Year in 2014. Also returning to the diamond are seniors Kelly Megee, Michelle Solomon and Taylor Green. The junior class welcomes back Taylor Langdon, Bria Kennedy, Kiley Shae Aldridge, Whitney Smith, Hannah Harris and Paige Gumz. The 2015 sophomore class includes Kierra Willis and Christina Rodriguez.
Freshman Class
Wearing a Bulldog jersey for the first time will be freshmen infielders Wendy Cardinali (Valencia High School), Chase LeeHong (Santa Catalina High School), Vanessa Hernandez (Hesperia High School) and Katie Castellon (St. Mary's High School) along with outfielder Brooke Coates (Exeter High School).
Prominent Transfers
The 2015 squad is also composed of several transfers including Malia Rivers (University of Georgia), Alyssa Villalpando (University of Hawai'i) and junior college transfer Victoria Trevino. Trevino was a four-year all-league shortstop for Lemoore High School before attending West Hills College and transferring to Fresno State. Rivers joins the squad as a sophomore transfer from Georgia where she served as an infielder and posted an overall batting average of .667, helping the Bulldogs to an SEC Conference Tournament Championship and NCAA Super Regional appearance. Villalpando, a junior utility player from El Monte, Calif., made her transition to Fresno State after playing two seasons for Hawai'i as a catcher, infielder and designated player who helped the Rainbow Wahine to the 2013 NCAA Tournament Regional Final.
Fierce Competition
The Bulldog softball team has spent a significant amount of time preparing for what is said to be the toughest schedule yet under Ford's helm. Following the Fresno State Kick-Off, the Bulldogs will make their way to Cathedral City for the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic (Feb. 20-22) where the `Dogs will face Texas, Ohio State, Stanford, Oklahoma State and LMU. The CSUF Judi Garman Classic will serve as one of the most challenging weekends for the `Dogs as they kick off the tournament facing the University of Iowa. On March 7, Fresno State will take on the 2014 defending national champions, Florida Gators, followed by three separate face offs with 2014 WCWS participants, Oregon, Baylor and Arizona to end the Judi Garman Classic on March 8.
2015 Home Game Slate
Highlighting the Bulldogs 2015 non-conference slate are three tournaments hosted at Margie Wright Diamond. Bulldog softball fans can catch the team in action for the first time in the spring as the team host UC Davis, Sacramento State, Cal, Santa Clara and UC Riverside for the Fresno State Kick-Off (Feb. 13-15). Following the kick-off, the `Dogs will hold the first annual FS Louisville Slugger Bash (Feb. 27- Mar. 1) where they welcome Saint Mary's, Oregon State, UC Santa Barbara and Rutgers. The Fresno State Classic (March 12-15) will end the Bulldogs 24-game non-conference slate after taking on Providence, Pacific, Montana, Minnesota and Cal Poly for the third and final 2015 tournament hosted at Margie Wright Diamond. Of the eight conference series, the `Dogs will host San Jose State, New Mexico, Boise State and Nevada this season.
On the Road Again
The Bulldogs non-conference schedule continues with a three-day road trip to Cathedral City for the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic (Feb. 20-22). The `Dogs will open the month of March by making their way to Fullerton, Calif., for the CSUF Judi Garman Classic and are slated to open conference play on in Fort Collins, Colo. for a three-day MW series against Colorado State. Additional road trips this season include visiting San Diego State, Utah State, UNLV and Stockton, Calif., for a single-game matchup with Pacific.
Individual Preseason Honors
College Sports Madness released its 2015 Preseason All-Conference Softball Teams on Monday, Feb. 2, in which four Bulldogs were honored. The staff at College Sports Madness tabbed senior Brenna Moss the Field Player of the Year and junior Jill Compton Pitcher of the Year with the expectation of making a significant impact on the `Dogs season in the Mountain West. Both Moss and Compton were placed on the All-Mountain West first-team while junior pitcher Hannah Harris and sophomore outfielder Kierra Willis represented the `Dogs on the second-team.
Classroom Achievements
The Fresno State softball team takes pride in the hard work dedicated on the field as well as in the classroom and reaffirmed its commitment to academic success by enjoying five 2014 NFCA Scholar-Athlete awards, three Mountain West Scholar-Athlete laurels, six MW All-Academic honors and a Capital One Academic All-District accolade.
2014 Season in Review
The `Dogs are coming off a second-place (15-9) finish in Mountain West play and a 31-21 overall mark behind the 2014 top conference champion, San Diego State (40-19, 16-8 MW). Lost to graduation were five senior Bulldogs, including four position starters, and nine overall letterwinners.
Season Tickets
Fans are encouraged to purchase season tickets starting at $65 for general admission ($39 for youth/seniors). Season ticket holders also have the option to reserve both upper ($78) and lower ($130) reserved seating as they cheer on the Bulldogs this year. To purchase season tickets contact the Bulldog Ticket Office, call 559-278-3647, or log on to www.gobulldogs.com
Postseason
NCAA regionals is set to begin on May 2 and is constructed of 32 programs which receive an automatic bid, while the remaining 32 teams are selected on an at-large basis to make up a 64-team playing field. Regionals will last until May 17 and NCAA Super Regionals are slated for May 21-24 at eight selected campus sites. A best-of-three tournament format will determine who advances to the 34th annual NCAA Division I Softball Championship (May 28- June 3), held for the 25th time at the Oklahoma City/ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
2015 SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN
•2014 National Champion (1 team, 1 game) - Florida
•2014 World Series Returnees (2 teams, 2 games) - Baylor, Oregon
•2014 Super Regional Returnees (2 teams, 2 games) - Arizona, Minnesota
•2014 NCAA Regional Finalist (1 team, 1 game) - Texas
•2014 NCAA Tournament Advances (2 teams, 4 games) - Fordham, San Diego State (3x)
•2014 Non-Tournament Qualifiers (28 teams, 44 games) - Boise State (3x), California, Cal Poly, Cal State Northridge, Colorado State (3x), Iowa, Loyola Marymount, Montana, Nevada (3x), New Mexico (3x), Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon State, Pacific (2x), Portland State, Providence, Rutgers, San Diego, San Jose State (3x), Santa Clara (2x), Stanford, St. Mary's, UC Davis, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UNLV (3x), Utah State (3x)
2014 MW STANDINGS
1. San Diego State 16-8-0
2. Fresno State 15-9-0
3. UNLV 15-9-0
4. Boise State 14-10-0
5. San José State 13-11-0
6. Colorado State 13-11-0
7. Nevada 9-15-0
8. New Mexico 7-17-0
9. Utah State 6-18-0
2014 ALL-MW First Team
Tara Glover**- Boise State
Rebecca Patton- Boise State
Chelsea O'Connor- Colorado State
Jill Compton*- Fresno State
Brenna Moss*- Fresno State
Brandi Heimburg- New Mexico
Willow Kalinen- New Mexico
Jaylene Ignacio- San Diego State
Patrice Jackson**- San Diego State
Danielle O'Toole*- San Diego State
Erin Rodriguez- San José State
Garie Blando- UNLV
Sam Juarez- UNLV
Stefany Valentino**- UNLV
Victoria Saucedo- Utah State
2014 ALL-MW Second Team
Jordan Kreiger- Boise State
Haley Hutton- Colorado State
Holly Reinke- Colorado State
Stesha Brazil- Fresno State
Hannah Harris- Fresno State
Kierra Willis- Fresno State
. Karlyn Jones- Nevada
Megan Sweet- Nevada
Naomi Tellez- New Mexico
Dominique Dinner- San Diego State
Katie Mathis- San Diego State
Jessica Garcia- San José State
Jessie HUfstetler- San José State
Emily Haslinger*- UNLV
Pauline Monreal- UNLV
**=three-time honoree
*=two-time honoree
"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.
