Senior Spotlight: Zach Ashford

FRESNO, Calif. - With Senior Day approaching on Sunday, GoBulldogs.com sat down with the five Diamond 'Dog seniors to get a deeper look at their Fresno State experience and their time as a member of the Fresno State baseball team.

The fourth Bulldog to be featured this week is outfielder Zach Ashford. A 2015 graduate of Buchanan High School, Ashford was named the Fresno Bee Player of the Year, the Tri-River Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the Clovis Roundup Athlete of the Year as a senior as well being named first-team all-state and to the 2015 Region 8 ABCA/Rawlings High School All-Region team.

Ashford hit the ground running in his first year at Fresno State, appearing in 49 games with 25 starts on the season. He immediately was recognized by the Mountain West as one of the top freshman hitters with a .316 average at the plate, a .402 on-base percentage and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 2016 helping the 'Dogs win the Mountain West regular season championship.

2017 saw more from the Clovis native as he appeared in 57 games, making 20 starts with 18 as the designated hitter and two in left field. He hit for a .316 average for the second year after knocking 50 hits as a sophomore. Ashford tallied 12 multi-hit games in 2017 with eight doubles, three triples and his first career home run.

Ashford did not let off the gas in 2018, leading the team and ranking sixth in the Mountain West with a .352 average at the plate. He also led the squad with 23 extra-base hits as a junior, sparked by three triples and two home runs. The remaining 18 doubles were enough to place him sixth in the Mountain West in doubles.

He finished the 2017 season and began the 2018 season with a 49-game on-base streak with a team-high 20-game hitting streak during that period. Ashford finished his junior campaign with a .406 on-base percentage and a .489 slugging percentage.

On defense, Ashford has been stellar for the Bulldogs while only committing one error in his four-year career to date.

Ashford has shined for the Bulldogs as a senior in the leadoff spot of the lineup and starting center fielder. He has appeared in 43 of the 'Dogs 44 games making 41 starts on the season. He is currently sitting in third place in the Mountain West with a .373 batting average and a .487 on-base percentage and tops the team with 48 runs scored and 20 multi-hit games.

In his career, he has played in 201 games and has collected 233 hits, 38 doubles, 10 triples, five home runs, 133 runs scored and 85 RBI while defensively sporting a .996 fielding percentage.

In addition to his success on the diamond, Ashford been named an Academic All-Mountain West selection each year in his career and was a Second-Team All-Mountain West selection in 2018.

GoBulldogs.com met with Ashford to learn more about his experience as a Diamond 'Dog over the last four seasons.

What skills has baseball taught you that you can use off the field?
Ashford: "Baseball has taught me how to fail. Each day life is going to throw obstacles your way and you aren't always going to have good days. It's how you respond and answer back each and everyday."

If you had to be attached to one teammate for 24 hours, who would it be and why?
Ashford: "If I could be attached any teammate I would probably pick Jeff Jamison. That guy is always in a good mood, and I feel like he is always off doing something. It would be interesting to see what he does all day."

What is one thing that Coach Batesole says that you will always remember?
Ashford: "I will always remember him calling me 'pee wee'. He has been calling me that for four years now and always gives me a hard time for being the smallest guy on the field. It's pretty funny."

Which of your past or present Fresno State teammates has been your biggest influence during your time as a Bulldog?
Ashford: "The two biggest teammate influences I have had are Nick Warren and Austin Guibor. They were like big brothers for me my freshman year and eventually being my roommates my sophomore year. They showed me the ropes, and are still two of my closest friends."

How has being a student-athlete prepared you for success in the future?
Ashford: "Being a student-athlete has prepared me by giving me a lot of responsibilities, managing time, and working in group settings. It taught me that no one is handed anything in life; you have to work for what you want."

Do you have any advice for young and aspiring baseball players?
Ashford: "My advice for young baseball players is to have fun and enjoy not being perfect. If you are trying to be perfect all the time then you are in the wrong sport."

What is your favorite part about being a Bulldog?
Ashford: "My favorite part about being a Bulldog is representing my hometown and this Valley. Playing for this team has sent me many places in this country and representing Fresno State is a huge honor."

How does it feel to be able to stay in Fresno and play at the collegiate level?
Ashford: "It has been amazing staying in Fresno for college to play because it allows my family and friends to watch games. Growing up going to games and having the dream to play here my whole life is still something crazy to think about."

"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.

Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram: fresnostateathletics
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics

Fresno State Athletics

Senior Spotlight: Zach Ashford

Related News

Players Mentioned

Zach Ashford

Jeff Jamison

Nick Warren

Related Videos