'Dogs gear up for season-opening tournament in Arizona

Friday, February 10

Tempe, Ariz.

8 a.m. PT

Fresno State

Indiana

'Dogs gear up for season-opening tournament in Arizona

2/8/2017 8:00:00 AM | Softball

Fresno State Game Notes (PDF)Fresno State Game Notes (PDF)MW Weekly Release (PDF)

The Bulldogs will play five games over three days, beginning with Indiana for the second-straight year, on Friday.

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

ASU Kajikawa Classic Tournament Central

Fresno State Schedule
Friday, Feb. 10
Game 1: Indiana (8 a.m. PT) – LIVE STATS
Game 2: #9 Oregon (10:45 a.m. PT) – LIVE STATS

Saturday, Feb. 11
Game 3: Purdue (11:15 a.m. PT) – LIVE STATS
Game 4: San Diego (2 p.m. PT) – LIVE STATS

Sunday, Feb. 12
Game 5: Stanford (10:45 a.m. PT) – LIVE STATS

No. 24 BULLDOGS SET TO BEGIN SEASON IN ARIZONA
The No. 24 Fresno State softball team begins its quest for a third-straight Mountain West title as the Bulldogs make their annual trip to Tempe, Ariz., this weekend to compete at the 2017 Arizona State Kajikawa Classic. The 'Dogs will play five games over three days, beginning with Indiana for the second-straight year, on Friday.

The tournament will continue with Fresno State facing No. 9 Oregon, Purdue, San Diego and Stanford. This will be the Bulldogs' fourth consecutive appearance at the Kajikawa Classic, which is one of five tournaments the team is scheduled to compete in during its 2017 nonconference slate.

'DOGS EXPECTED TO MAKE NOISE IN 2017
The Bulldogs have been ranked 24th in the country in the 2017 USA Today/NFCA Division I Preseason Coaches' Poll. This is the first time since 2010 that the 'Dogs will begin the season in the Top 25. Last year, the Bulldogs spent 14 weeks in the Top 25, tying the program-best mark that was also reached in 2000-05.

The ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 has the 'Dogs receiving votes in its preseason poll.

The Mountain West coaches have chosen Fresno State as the conference favorite in a preseason poll. This is the third-straight season that the Bulldogs have placed first in this poll.

A LOOK AT SOME FRESH BULLDOG FACES
Along with a new coaching staff, the 'Dogs welcome 10 newcomers to the team, joining MW Player of the Year Kierra Willis and fellow first-team All-MW selection Lindsey Willmon. With the departure of eight 2016 seniors, including two-time MW Pitcher of the Year Jill Compton and two-time MW Defensive Player of the Year Paige Gumz, the Bulldogs have their work cut out for them.

First-year head coach Linda Garza, a Fresno native and former All-MW selection at UNLV, has accepted the challenge of continuing the winning tradition at Fresno State. She joins the 'Dogs after spending the last four seasons at the helm of the UC Riverside program.

Garza has surrounded herself with exceptional talent, including assistant coach Jodie Cox, a former All-American at Cal State Fullerton, who focuses on pitching, and assistant coach Justin Shults, a former All-American at UC Riverside, who focuses on hitting and the infield. Also among the support staff includes former Bulldog all-conference selection Haley Janzer (Perkins) as a volunteer assistant and Jill Compton as a student assistant.

Among the 10 newcomers, it is expected that the Red Wave will see roughly half of them on a regular basis, with catcher Maddi Hackbarth and infielders Schuylar Broussard and Miranda Rohleder, all freshmen, projected in the starting lineup, along with junior transfer pitcher/utility Savannah McHellon and freshman outfielder Kindra Hackbarth making consistent appearances.

NO LACK OF RETURNING OFFENSE
Senior outfielder Kierra Willis ranked among the best in the MW in 2016 after recording 40 walks (1st), 54 runs scored (2nd), a .478 on-base percentage (5th), 45 RBIs (7th) and 104 total bases (7th). She was also tied for second on the team with 10 home runs.

Willis is also climbing the all-time lists at Fresno State in slugging percentage (.571, 3rd), walks (90, 5th), triples (13, 8th) and home runs (19, 10th).

Senior utility/infielder Lindsey Willmon also put up great numbers among MW members, notching 116 total bases (2nd), 12 home runs (t-3rd), 50 runs scored (4th), a .690 slugging percentage (5th), 48 RBIs (t-5th), three triples (t-5th) and 61 hits (6th).

The Bulldogs expect big support from senior infielder Malia Rivers (2016 second-team All-MW) and sophomore outfielders Vanessa Hernandez and Morgan Howe, who combined for a .296 batting average last season.

As a team in 2016, the 'Dogs set program records with 61 home runs and a .499 slugging percentage.

EMERGING IN THE CIRCLE
Filling Jill Compton's shoes will be no easy task, but the Bulldogs are confident that sophomore Kamalani Dung (2016: 8-1, 4.41 ERA) and junior transfer Savannah McHellon (2016: 20-2, 1.50 ERA with Northwest Florida State College) will combine for some solid innings. Fighting for the third spot in the rotation are sophomore Kira McKechnie (2016: 0-0, 0.00 ERA) and freshman Samantha Mejia.

ABOUT THE HOOSIERS
Indiana is under the direction of ninth-year head coach Michelle Gardner. In 2016, the Hoosiers fell to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals and finished 29-25 with an RPI of 76.

The Bulldogs are 5-0 all-time against Indiana, most recently defeating the Hoosiers 7-0 at the ASU Kajikawa Classic last year.

Indiana returns a 2016 All-Big Ten second-team selection in junior outfielder Rebecca Blitz (2016: .350 BA, 63 hits, 34 runs), along with sophomore pitcher Tara Trainer (2016: 183 K's in 153.0 IP).

ABOUT THE DUCKS
No. 9 Oregon is under the direction of eighth-year head coach Mike White, the 2016 Pac-12 Coach of the Year. Last season, the Ducks captured their fourth-straight Pac-12 title and advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals before falling to UCLA. They finished the season ranked 10th in the country with a 48-10 record.

The 'Dogs own an all-time record of 29-7 against Oregon, but haven't secured a victory since 2008, falling in the teams' last four meetings. Last season, the Ducks defeated Fresno State 9-0 at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.

Returners for Oregon include a 2016 second-team All-American, senior infielder Nikki Udria (2016: .405 BA, 17 HR, 55 RBIs), the 2016 Pac-12 Co-Freshman of the Year, sophomore pitcher Megan Kleist (2016: 17-6, 2.36 ERA), and a 2017 USA Softball senior national team member, junior infielder Jenna Lilley (2016: .326 BA).

ABOUT THE BOILERMAKERS
Purdue is under the direction of first-year head coach Boo De Oliveira. In 2016, the Boilermakers were defeated by Nebraska in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament and finished 27-28 with an RPI of 86.

The Bulldogs are 5-0 all-time against Purdue, most recently facing the Boilermakers twice at home in 2012.

Purdue returns senior infielder Kristen Hoppman, who led the team in 2016 with a .313 batting average, 56 hits, five triples and 28 stolen bases.

ABOUT THE TOREROS
San Diego is under the direction of 16th-year head coach Melissa McElvain, the 2016 West Coast Conference Co-Coach of the Year. Last season, the Toreros finished with a 22-29 record and an RPI of 200.

The Bulldogs are 4-3 all-time against San Diego, garnering victories in the teams' last three meetings, most recently a 13-3 win in 2016 at the San Diego Classic.

The Toreros return four 2016 All-WCC selections, including sophomore infielder Lauren Kane (2016: .288 BA, 9 HR, 40 RBIs), who was named Freshman of the Year. Other honorees include senior pitcher Megan Sabbatini (2016: 171 K's in 181.1 IP), senior outfielder Olivia Sandusky (.373 BA, 59 hits) and sophomore outfielder Taylor Spence (2016: .391 BA, 63 hits).

ABOUT THE CARDINAL
Stanford is under the direction of third-year head coach Rachel Hanson. In 2016, the Cardinal finished their season with a 13-35 record and an RPI of 142.

The Bulldogs own the all-time series record 16-13 against Stanford, most recentlty defeating the Cardinal 13-8 at the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City, Calif., in 2015.

Stanford returns senior outfielder Bessie Noll, who capped off her 2016 campaign by being named to the NFCA All-West Region third team (.300 BA, led the team with a .611 slugging percentage), and senior infielder Kylie Sorenson (2016: .339 BA, 8 HR), who earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors.

COVERAGE
Fresno State Athletics strives to meet the needs of Bulldog fans around the country by providing several outlets to follow the 'Dogs' 2017 journey. Stay up-to-date with the latest news via Twitter (@FresnoStateSB), Facebook (Fresno State Softball), Instagram (@fresnostatesoftball) and Snapchat (FSAthletics). A full recap and final results can be found at GoBulldogs.com following each competition.

Select Bulldog home games will also be broadcast live on 790 AM ESPN2 Radio, as well as streamed live on the Mountain West Network.

MARGIE WRIGHT DIAMOND SEASON TICKETS
Fans can purchase season tickets starting at $65 for general admission ($39 for youth/seniors), along with the option to reserve either upper ($78) or lower ($130) deck seating. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Bulldog Ticket Office, online at GoBulldogs.com or over the phone at 559-278-3647.

MARGIE WRIGHT DIAMOND MINI PLANS
Fans can purchase 6-, 8- and 10-game flex plans beginning at $54, $64 and $70, respectively.

MARGIE WRIGHT DIAMOND SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Single-game tickets start at $7 for adults and $5 for youth/seniors.

"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.