Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs Utah Bound Following Midweek Sweep
4/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
Game Notes | MW Weekly Release
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Fresno State (28-13, 9-3 MW) vs. Utah State (15-24, 7-5 MW)
Friday, April 10
2:00 p.m. (PT) | LaRee & LeGrand Johnson Field | Logan, Utah
Saturday, April 11
3:00 p.m. (PT) | LaRee & LeGrand Johnson Field | Logan, Utah
Sunday, April 12
11:00 p.m. (PT) | LaRee & LeGrand Johnson Field | Logan, Utah
'Dogs Travel to Utah
Following a three-game sweep over New Mexico at Margie Wright Diamond earlier in the week, the Fresno State softball team travels to Logan, Utah for a three-day regular season series against Utah State. Six games into a nine-game slate, the `Dogs will cap the weekend playing three conference series in only 11 days. Fresno State heads into this weekend's action with an overall record of 28-13 and 9-3 in Mountain West play with a pair of conference sweeps over Colorado State and New Mexico.
About the `Dogs
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 played a 29-game tournament stretch before opening conference play on March 20 in Fort Collins, Colo. Fresno State's conference home opener was held on March 27 as the `Dogs took on San Jose State for the second three-game series of the regular season before traveling to down south to face conference leader San Diego State. After hosting New Mexico this week, the Bulldogs visit Utah State before a two-week home game slate against Boise State (April 17-19) and Nevada (April 24-26). The `Dogs will play a single non-conference game in Stockton, Calif., against the University of Pacific before visiting Las Vegas, Nevada to face UNLV for the eighth and final MW series of the season. On the season, Fresno State is 14-6 at home with three victories coming during the regular season over San Jose State and New Mexico. A crowded group of talented newcomers helps ease the offensive loss of four Bulldog starters at the conclusion of the 2014 season.
About Utah State (15-24, 7-5 MW)
The Aggies opened the regular season hosting New Mexico, winning their conference home opener 4-0 before falling to the Lobos in the final two matchups. Utah State swept for the first time earlier in the week with three consecutive victories over Colorado State including a 9-1 six-inning defeat.
Utah State is led by head coach Steve Johnson in his second season after taking over the Aggie softball program in 2013. In his Utah State debuted, Johnson led the team to an 18-37 (8-7 MW) overall record guiding the Aggies to the most wins since 2010.
Junior outfielder Sarah Chow guides the team offensively with a .439 batting average compiling 58 hits in 132 at-bats including four doubles, two triples and 11 runs batted in for Utah State. Leading the Aggie pitching staff is junior righty Noelle Johnson posting a 3.36 earned run average in 30 game appearances with 13 wins, 10 losses and 15 complete games. Johnson holds a season total of 112 strikeouts and has allowed 53 walks.
Bulldog-Aggie Series History
In what is the Aggies second year as a member of the Mountain West conference, Fresno State owns an all-time record of 35-11 over Utah State. During their first MW meeting 2014, the `Dogs recorded their first sweep of the regular season at Margie Wright Diamond outscoring the Aggies 18-3 during the three-game series, including a five inning run-rule victory.
Professional Honors
Bulldog centerfielder Brenna Moss was selected as the thirteenth pick in the third round to the Chicago Bandits in the 2015 National Fast Pitch College Draft, announced on Wednesday, April 1. The Bakersfield, Calif., native was one of five players selected in the third round including elite athletes from Arizona State, Auburn, Cal Berkley and Purdue. As Fresno State's leadoff batter, Moss is the first Bulldog to be drafted by the NPF since 2005 when pitcher Jamie Southern was selected in the first round to the Akron Racers.
Weekly Honors
Bulldog pitcher Jill Compton was recognized for third time this season, earning the title of Mountain West Pitcher of the Week and Madness MW Softball Player of the Week on Monday afternoon after helping the Fresno State softball team to a conference series win over conference leader San Diego State. With a weekend record of 2-0, Compton allowed the Aztecs no earned runs moving her to a team-best earned run average of 2.21 on the season and 0.93 in MW action. Monday's honor marks the third conference accolade the Oceano, Calif., native has earned this season and sixth career Mountain West honor as a junior. TheMW.com Video Link
Prior Weekly Accolades
College Sports Madness: Alyssa Villalpando (2/24), Kierra Willis (3/17), Jill Compton (4/7)
Mountain West Player of the Week: Brenna Moss (3/17), Kierra Willis (2/24)
Mountain West Pitcher of the Week: Jill Compton (3/17, 3/24, 4/6) Sysco Student-Athlete of the Week: Jill Compton (2/9), Kierra Willis (2/23)
Nationally Recognized
With the highest standing in three years, Fresno State climbs to a No. 39 spot in the latest NCAA Women's Softball RPI Rankings. The Bulldog softball team has a lengthy tradition of successful athletes and continues to compete among the nation's most talented athletes by earning Top 50 spots in six of the NCAA's most recent statistical categories. San Diego State (No. 36) is the only additional Mountain West softball program in the Top 50 standings. As the `Dogs starting centerfielder and leadoff batter, Brenna Moss ranks No. 15 in the nation with a .472 batting average while No. 40 in on base percentage (.541). As a sophomore, Kierra Willis represents Fresno State on the NCAA charts tying for a fourteenth place ranking in triples (5) and No. 25 for triples per game. The `Dogs starting pitcher, Jill Compton logged a No. 23 ranking in shutouts (5) while tying for No. 29 in victories this season (15).
Mountain West Standings
Fresno State currently sits second in Mountain West standings behind conference leader San Diego State with the Aztecs only two regular season losses coming from the `Dogs. Following a three-way tie for second last week, the Bulldogs claim the No. 2 spot after sweeping New Mexico earlier in the week. Heading into the fifth week of Mountain West play, Fresno State trails the Aztecs by on only one game.
CURRENT 2015 MW STANDINGS
1. San Diego State (27-14, 10-2)
2. Fresno State (28-13, 9-3)
3. San Jose State (26-14, 6-3)
4. Utah State (15-24, 7-5)
5. New Mexico (22-19, 6-6)
6. UNLV (20-20, 6-6)
7. Colorado State (21-20, 2-7)
8. Nevada (12-26, 2-7)
9. Boise State (8-31, 0-9)
Tune In
Don't miss any Bulldog softball action this year! Fans that are unable to make it to Margie Wright Diamond can tune into 790 AM The Deuce, the official home of Fresno State softball, with ESPN2 host Christian Lukens. Live home game coverage can be found on the Mountain West Network at www.themw.com, or visit gobulldogs.com to follow Fresno State softball on GameTracker.
Rewriting the Record Book
Fresno State softball found success in four of five games at the Mary Nutter Classic, as well as set new records for the program. Against Stanford on Saturday, Feb. 21, the `Dogs recorded back-to-back-to-back home runs from Kierra Willis, Paige Gumz and Alyssa Villalpando. This accomplishment marked the first time the `Dogs cleared the fence three consecutive times, the last time three homers were hit in same inning being against Iowa on February 23, 2013.
In the same night, senior Brenna Moss broke the record for the most career stolen bases after tying the record in the first inning against the Cardinal. Prior to this season, Moss sat in second with 79, behind 2011 all-time school career record holder Haley Gilleland (86). 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 eight after the first three weeks of the 2015 season.
Bulldog Talent Honored
On Feb. 28, the Bulldog softball program retired former Bulldog All-American and Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Berg's No. 44 jersey during the first annual Fresno State Louisville Slugger Bash. The ceremony was 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. Not only was Berg a four-time All-American at Fresno State, but a world-class athlete as a three-time USA Softball Olympic Gold Medalist. The Bulldog outfielder guided Fresno State to its first NCAA Division I national title in 1998 and ended her collegiate career leading the WAC in triples, runs, hits, at-bats, games played and total bases.
The first night of the Fresno State Kick-Off (Feb. 13) served as not only the 2015 home opener, but a memorable night for former Bulldog pitcher Wende Ward who was only the second female 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.
Preseason Favorite
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.
Freshmen 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 spent a significant amount of time preparing for what was said to be the toughest schedule yet under Ford's helm. Following the Fresno State Kick-Off, the Bulldogs made their way to Cathedral City for the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic (Feb. 20-22) where the `Dogs faced Texas, Ohio State, Stanford, Oklahoma State and LMU. The CSUF Judi Garman Classic served as one of the most challenging weekends for the Bulldogs as they took on the 2014 defending national champions, Florida Gators, followed by three separate face offs with 2014 WCWS participants, Oregon, Baylor and Arizona. Fresno State faced the No. 1 and No. 2 team in the nation back-to-back on Saturday, March 7 and continued a challenging non-conference slate by hosting No. 16 Minnesota during the Fresno State Classic before heading into conference play.
2015 Home Game Slate
Highlighting the Bulldogs 2015 non-conference schedule were three tournaments hosted at Margie Wright Diamond. Bulldog softball fans caught the team in action for the first time in the spring as the `Dogs hosted UC Davis, Sacramento State, Cal, Santa Clara and UC Riverside for the Fresno State Kick-Off (Feb. 13-15). Following the kick-off, Fresno State hosted the first annual FS Louisville Slugger Bash (Feb. 27- Mar. 1) where they welcomed Saint Mary's, Oregon State, UC Santa Barbara and Rutgers. The Fresno State Classic (March 12-15) ended the Bulldogs' 29-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
After the ASU Kajikawa Classic, the Bulldogs made a three-day road trip to Cathedral City for the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic (Feb. 20-22). The `Dogs opened the month of March by making their way to Fullerton, Calif., for the CSUF Judi Garman Classic and began conference action in Fort Collins, Colo. for a three-day Mountain West series against Colorado State. Additional road trips this season include visiting San Diego State (April 2-4), Utah State (April 10-12), UNLV (May 7-9) and Stockton, Calif., for a single-game matchup with Pacific on Tuesday, May 5.
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 15 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 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.
