Garza announces challenging 2018 softball schedule

2018 Schedule

FRESNO, Calif. – A non-conference schedule with 12 games against 2017 NCAA Tournament teams – including games against three Women's College World Series (WCWS) teams – and 26 total home games highlight the 2018 Fresno State softball schedule announced by head coach Linda Garza on Monday.

"In the 2018 season we play WCWS opponents as well as top-25 competition," Garza said. "We will be challenged and tested all year, in the preseason and in conference play. Fresno State softball has always competed against the best and that is something our players and program take pride in."

The Bulldogs, who qualified for the NCAA Regionals for the third consecutive season and 33rd time in the last 36 years in 2017, will face seven teams that were nationally ranked at the end of last season. With 14 newcomers on the 2018 roster, Fresno State plays 15 total games against 2017 NCAA Tournament teams and 14 games against teams that played in the 2017 National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC). A total of 29 of the team's 54 total games will be against 2017 postseason teams.

"With a number of newcomers on the roster, we will be challenged early playing a number of competitive programs who have had success in postseason play," Garza said. "Fresno State softball strives for success through challenges and this spring our team will encounter just that. The schedule offers a little balance at times along with competition against the nation's best."

The team begins the season at the Kajikawa Classic Feb. 9-11, hosted by Arizona State, and has its season opener against Oregon, which was ranked as high as No. 1 in the nation last season and was one of the last four teams remaining in the WCWS. The 'Dogs will also face 2017 Super Regional team Arizona, which ended the year ranked No. 9, and regional participant Notre Dame in Tempe while also facing two more Power 5 conference schools in Stanford and Purdue.

The 'Dogs will play two more 2017 WCWS teams, LSU and UCLA, at the Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs. Regional participants Wisconsin and BYU will also be in the field and the team will see three more postseason teams the following week at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton against Louisiana, Cal Poly, and host Cal State Fullerton.

Fresno State's home schedule opens with the Bulldog Classic February 16-18. Visiting teams will include CSU Bakersfield, UC Davis, Pacific, and Saint Mary's, with the Dogs' home opener against valley rival CSU Bakersfield on Friday, Feb. 16, at 3:30 p.m. There will be 12 total games at Margie Wright Diamond over the three-day tournament.

The Bulldogs will host two more home tournaments, welcoming NCAA Regional team Cal, NISC qualifier UC Santa Barbara, Cleveland State, and Monmouth March 9-11. The following weekend the 'Dogs host 2017 regional team Illinois for two games and meet Cal Poly again for a doubleheader, with the two visitors playing each other twice as well.

"We welcome the opportunity to compete, learn, and get better all in preparation for MW conference and post season competition," Garza added. "This will be a great opportunity for our newcomers to gain experience early in preparation for their Bulldog careers."

Mountain West play begins March 23-25 as the 'Dogs will open the conference season hosting Colorado State. The team's first MW road trip comes the following week at New Mexico and the 'Dogs will play a final non-conference game on Tuesday, April 3, at Stanford.

Fresno State also has home MW series against Utah State, San Diego State, and UNLV, with the home finale and senior day to be played May 6 against the Rebels. The Bulldogs play three at reigning conference champion San Jose State April 13-15 and close the regular season with three games at Nevada May 10-12.

NCAA Regionals are scheduled for May 17-20 with Super Regionals May 24-27. The College World Series will begin on May 31 in Oklahoma City.

2018 Schedule By the Numbers

15 – Games against teams that played in the 2017 NCAA Regionals (Oregon, Arizona, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, LSU, BYU, UCLA, Cal State Fullerton, Louisiana, Cal, Illinois (2), San Jose State (3))

3 – Games against teams that reached the 2017 Women's College World Series (Oregon, LSU, UCLA)

8 – Games against teams that ended the 2017 season nationally ranked (#4 Oregon, #5 UCLA, #6 LSU, #9 Arizona, #19 Louisiana, #21 BYU, #24 Illinois (2))

14 – Games against teams that played in the 2017 National Invitational Softball Championship (Cal Poly (3), UC Santa Barbara (2), Utah State (3), Boise State (3), Nevada (3))

12 – Games against Power-5 schools (Oregon, Stanford (2), Arizona, Purdue, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, LSU, UCLA, Cal, Illinois (2))

29 – Games against 2017 postseason teams

3 – Home tournaments

26 – Home games

12 – Consecutive home games March 9-25

40 – Games played in the state of California

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

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Garza announces challenging 2018 softball schedule

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