Fresno State Athletics
Up to Date with Bulldog Softball, 2016
1/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif.- Since her arrival in 2013, Fresno State head coach Trisha Ford and staff have stressed the importance of mastering the little things when it comes to the game of softball.
That attention to detail earned the Bulldog softball program their first Mountain West title and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2015, after coming off back-to-back runner-up league finishes.
Ford was named the league's Coach of the Year at the season's end while the squad garnished offensive and defensive player of the year laurels, along with a pair of first-team All-MW honorees, five second-team selections and three receiving NFCA All-Region honors.
Coming off the most successful stretch under Ford's direction, the Fresno State softball team enters the 2016 season with depth, experience and a veteran battery looking to make another run at a 40-win season, defend its conference championship and return to postseason play by building on last season's accomplishments.
Who to Watch For in 2016
The Bulldogs return a deep lineup that includes seven players who received postseason accolades last year. Fresno State bid farewell to the 2015 Bulldog of the Year and National Professional Fastpitch draftee, Brenna Moss, and additionally graduated fellow outfield starter Michelle Solomon.
The Mountain West pegged catcher Paige Gumz the Defensive Player of the Year as one-of-two components making up Fresno State's dynamic battery. In addition to starting behind the plate during all 162 games over the past three seasons, Gumz paced the starting lineup with a fielding percentage of .997, 321 putouts and gunned down seven runners caught stealing last season.
As a transfer from Hawai'i, Alyssa Villalpando earned a starting position as the Bulldog third baseman and received second-team All-Region honors from the NFCA. Her power and ability was highlighted with six home runs and 33 RBI as one of the `Dogs key offensive products. Villalpando spent her summer break competing for the Mexican National Softball Federation in preparation for her senior season.
Representing Fresno State on the 2015 All-MW second-team was Malia Rivers, Whitney Smith and repeated All-Conference picks Kierra Willis and Hannah Harris. As the team's projected primary power source and biggest threat on the base path, Willis served as the Bulldogs starting left fielder and cleanup batter with a team-leading nine triples, eight home runs, .667 slugging percentage and 55 total RBI as a sophomore.
As a middle infielder, Rivers had a second-best batting average (.371) at the season's end while claiming 72 hits as the `Dogs number two batter. She reached base 43 percent of her at-bats and successfully stole base in all but one of her 17 attempts, just shy of Moss (25) as the 2015 team-leader.
Of last season's five-person pitching staff, Fresno State returns four members to the 2016 lineup including Jill Compton, the Mountain West Pitcher of the Year. As the `Dogs dominant ace, Compton is a three-time All-Conference choice and was named to the NFCA Pacific All-Region first-team after guiding the team to 28 of their 40 wins, striking out 242 batters and going the distance of 242.1 innings. The experienced pitching staff is rounded out with Harris (9-3), a two-time All-MW second-team recipient and number two starter, along with Taylor Langdon (3-1) who ranked in the top 10 in ERA among conference leaders a season ago.
Nearly three weeks shy of the 2016 season opener, College Sports Madness ranked Fresno State at No. 43 within a national poll and second in the Mountain West behind San Diego State. CSM additionally placed Compton, Harris, Rivers and Willis on the Madness 2016 MW Preseason All-Conference first-team, honored Smith to the second-team and predicted Compton to claim Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Roster Breakdown
Bearing the loss of five seniors, Ford added five freshmen and two transfers to contribute to the winning tradition set forth by the 16 cultured veterans focused on carrying momentum into the 2016 season. The 23-person roster containing 22 Californians and one Hawai'i native is comprised of five pitchers, one catcher, 10 infielders, six outfielders and one utility player.
Wearing a Bulldog jersey for the first time will be Kamalani Dung, Morgan Howe, Dominique Jackson, Kaitlyn Jennings and Kira McKechnie making up the freshmen class. The team also welcomes sophomore transfer Claire Stucker and junior transfer Lindsey Willmon.
For the second consecutive year, Fresno State has acquired a junior transfer from Hawai'i, this season Willmon joins the squad as a utility player originally from Elk Grove, Calif., after competing in center field, left field and behind the plate in all but five games over a two-year stint at UH. A Fresno native, Stucker returns to the Valley after serving as a pinch hitter for Mississippi State with defensive experience in the circle and on the corners.
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 - Compton, Gumz, Harris, Langdon, Smith, Villalpando, Bria Kennedy and Victoria Trevino. Fresno State lacks no experience as Willis, Rivers, Willmon and Christina Rodriguez round out the Bulldog upperclassmen, all 12 of which reap postseason familiarity.
Joining Stucker as sophomores are first baseman Chase LeeHong, infielders Katie Castellon and Wendy Cardinali, pinch runner Brooke Coates and freshman redshirt Vanessa Hernandez.
Overall, the Bulldogs return 10 letterwinners off their 2015 MW Championship team.
Game Slate
At the conclusion of the Bulldogs' toughest season under Ford's helm, Fresno State boasted its highest win total since 2010 with an overall record of 40-16 (20-4 MW). The `Dogs capped last year with an RPI ranking at No. 44 and are tied for the most all-time appearances in the NCAA Tournament after making appearance No. 35 last year. Fresno State's 2015 season was halted by BYU as the `Dogs fell short by only one run in an 8-7 final decision in Eugene, Ore.
Fresno State will endure numerous early tests yet again during the non-conference portion of the 2016 schedule with matchups against NCAA Women's College World Series qualifier Oregon, along with facing 12 teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year.
After making their way to the annual season-opening ASU Kajikawa Classic (Feb. 12-14), the Bulldogs will host the first of two tournaments, the Fresno State Kick-Off (Feb. 19-21) followed by the Fresno State Classic (March 11-13). Three of the combined six teams that will travel to compete at Margie Wright Diamond during tournament play reside in California - Sacramento State, UC Riverside and Cal State Bakersfield, - while the `Dogs welcome out-of-state opponents Kansas, Weber State and Washington.
The team's 32 non-conference game schedule also features five-game slates at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic (Feb. 26-28), CSUF Judi Garman Classic (March 4-6) and the San Diego Classic II (March 18-20), along with a road trip to Cal State Fullerton (March 22) before opening the regular season. In the midst of Fresno State's 24 Mountain West matchups, the Bulldogs will take the road to face Central Valley opponent Pacific on April 19 for a single non-conference game.
The month of March will close out with the first three-game MW series of the season at Boise State, starting with a doubleheader on March 29. The first of 12 home conference tilts will take place on April 1 as Fresno State hosts San Diego State, the second Mountain West member to make a regional appearance last season, for a series that could ultimately determine the top program in the conference.
Fresno State will travel for three additional conference games - New Mexico (April 8-10), San Jose State (April 29-May 1) and Nevada (May 6-8). The Bulldogs will host home series against Utah State (April 15-17), Colorado State (April 22-24) and UNLV (May 12-14).
Following the 56-game (24 MW) season, Fresno State looks to advance to the NCAA Regionals (May 20) with Super Regionals set to get underway just six days later. The 35th annual NCAA Women's College World Series will start on June 2 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Record Setting Year
Last season, five Bulldogs checked into the all-time program record book as a top 10 career leader, including Rivers (T7th - 15 hit streak), Willis (5th - .536 slugging percentage), Compton (7th - 123 appearances, 9th - 546 strikeouts, 10th - 104 games starts, T9th - three saves, 10th - three no-hitters), Harris (T9th - three saves) and Langdon (T4th - five saves).
Season-wise, Fresno State individually made its way into the top 10 last year in seven separate categories, represented by Willis (T2nd - nine triples, 10th - .667 slugging percentage, 10th - 55 RBI), Kennedy (T8th - 30 walks), Compton (T6th - 47 appearances, 6th - 43 game starts, T10th - two saves), Langdon (T1st - four saves), and Harris (T10th - two saves).
As a team, the 2015 squad exceeded the 1999 record of 191 walks with 201 coming during the 2015 campaign, tied with the most runs scored by both teams during a single-game (28), had a single-game leading four triples vs. Rutgers (Feb. 27) and combined for a high of 55 total bases with Cal (Feb. 15).
Then-senior, Moss, became the career stolen base record holder (104) on Feb. 22 with her 87th stolen base coming against Stanford, following an all-time season high 34 in 2014.
Season Tickets
At the conclusion of 23 games played at Margie Wright Diamond last season, Fresno State claimed the highest attendance figure (24,538) since 2008, averaging 1,067 fans per game. Ford has attracted a consistent crowd of 20,000 or more fans per year during each of her three seasons, but encourages members of the Red Wave to make 2016 the best yet.
Fans can purchase season tickets starting at $65 for general admission ($39 for youth/seniors) with the option to reserve either upper ($78) or lower ($130) deck seating to cheer on the Bulldogs this year. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Bulldog Ticket Office or over the phone at 559-278-3647.
Follow the Bulldogs
Fresno State Athletics continues striving to meet the needs of Bulldog fans around the county, therefore providing several outlets to follow the Dogs' journey in 2016. Stay up-to-date with the latest news via Twitter (@FresnoStateSB), Facebook (Fresno State Softball), Instagram (@fresnostatesoftball), Snapchat (FresnoStateSB) and online at GoBulldogs.com.
Come game day, a live stat feed of all home games can be found on StatBroadcast and GameTracker. The Red Wave can watch live on the Mountain West Network or listen on ESPN 790 AM "The Deuce" during games listed below. Please note, all broadcast schedules are tentative and subject to change.
790 AM ESPN2 Radio Schedule
Friday, Feb. 19 vs. Kansas (4 p.m.), vs. Sacramento State (6:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 20 vs. Kansas (4:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 21 vs. UC Riverside (11:30 a.m.), vs. Sacramento State (2:00 p.m.)
Saturday, March 12 (at Fullerton) vs. Baylor (2:30 p.m.), vs. Wisconsin (7:30 p.m.)
Sunday, March 13 (at Fullerton) vs. Oregon State (11:30 a.m.), California (2:00 p.m.)
Friday, March 11 vs. Weber State (5:00 p.m.), vs. Washington (7:30 p.m.)
Saturday, March 12 vs. Weber State (3:00 p.m.), vs. Washington (5:30 p.m.)
Sunday, March 13 vs. CSU Bakersfield (2:00 p.m.)
Friday, April 1, vs. San Diego State (6:00 p.m.)
Saturday, April 2 vs. San Diego State (6:00 p.m.)
Sunday, April 3 vs. San Diego State (12:00 p.m.)
Saturday, April 16 vs. Utah State (6:00 p.m.)
Sunday, April 17 vs. Utah State (12:00 p.m.)
Saturday, April 23 vs. Colorado State (6:00 p.m.)
Thursday, May 12 vs. UNLV (6:00 p.m.)
Saturday, May 14 vs. UNLV (12:00 p.m.)
Mountain West Network
Friday, Feb. 19
UC Riverside vs. Kansas (11:00 a.m.)
UC Riverside vs. Sacramento State (1:30 p.m.)
Fresno State vs. Kansas (4:00 p.m.)
Fresno State vs. Sacramento State (6:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 20
Sacramento State vs. Kansas (11:30 a.m.)
Sacramento State vs. UC Riverside (2:00 p.m.)
Kansas vs. Fresno State (4:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 21
Kansas vs. UC Riverside (9:00 a.m.)
Fresno State vs. UC Riverside (11:30 a.m.)
Fresno State vs. Sacramento State (2:00 p.m.)
Friday, March 11
CSU Bakersfield vs. San Diego State (9:30 a.m.)
San Diego State vs. Weber (12:00 p.m.)
CSU Bakersfield vs. Washington (2:30 p.m.)
Fresno State vs. Weber (5:00 p.m.)
Fresno State vs. Washington (7:30 p.m.)
Saturday, March 12
CSU Bakersfield vs. Weber (10:00 a.m.)
San Diego State vs. Washington (12:30 p.m.)
Fresno State vs. Weber (3:00 p.m.)
Fresno State vs. Washington (5:30 p.m.)
Sunday, March 13
Weber vs. Washington (9:00 a.m.)
CSU Bakersfield vs. San Diego State (11:30 a.m.)
CSU Bakersfield vs. Fresno State (2:00 p.m.)
April 1-3 San Diego State - 3 game series (6 p.m., 6 p.m., 12 p.m.)
May 12-14 UNLV - 3 game series (6 p.m., 6 p.m., 12 p.m.)
"Be Bold!" - The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio.
