Softball opens the season with a home game against Sacramento State, while baseball hosts the annual alumni game
Matt Weir/Collegian File Photo
When the Fresno State baseball team hits the diamond this Saturday for its annual alumni game, fans will get a chance to see several of their favorite players, past and present.
Current Bulldog stars like Garrett Weber, Jordan Ribera and Danny Muno will face off against past legends like 2008 College World Series Most Outstanding Player Tommy Mendonca, Steve Susdorf and Eric Wetzel.
The alumni game kicks off the Bulldogs’ 2011 season and expectations are high in anticipation of another successful season. Conference coaches predicted Fresno State to finish first in the Western Athletic Conference this season.
“It’s always nice to be ranked and picked to finish first,” intern and former Bulldog Ryan Overland said, “but it comes down to you want to be there in the end.”
The exhibition match will give spectators their first look at this season’s squad, which includes many returning core players and a few new faces that are expected to make solid contributions.
“Fans will see a lot of returners that will be familiar from last year’s team like,” Overland said. “Jordan Ribera, Danny Muno, guys that have been here for a while, experienced college players get back on the field again. There will be some freshmen that are expected to be called upon, Tyler Linehan, left-handed pitcher; Aaron Judge will seem some time in the outfield. There’s a very talented freshman group.”
After taking on the alumni team, Fresno State will play its first game at home against Gonzaga followed by Oregon State. Another year with a stiff schedule will pit the Bulldogs against many talented teams including Nebraska and San Diego.
“The schedule is definitely hard,” Overland said. “The non-conference games will be a good test for the team heading into the WAC. They’ll take it one game, one weekend at a time.”
Despite the preseason ranks, polls and early accolades, the Bulldogs maintain the will be well prepared to take on any team and make another run at a championship.
“For these guys they’re going to go about doing things right and shouldn’t really matter who’s in the other dugout,” Overland said. “As far as fans are concerned, there are a lot of quality teams coming to Fresno this year, so it should be exciting.”
The Fresno State softball team will open its season with a double-header against rival Sacramento State this weekend, and it couldn’t come soon enough for the anxious players.
“My mentality is just come in there and kick butt,” pitcher Michelle Moses said. “I’m excited to play. I think everyone’s ready, and I think we have a great team and I’m looking forward to the things we’re going to do this year.”
The Bulldogs will be returning most of their players from last year’s squad, but have picked up a few freshman who they believe will not only make a considerable contribution this season, but entice the fans as well with their play.
“Girls like Brooke Ortiz ”” she’s very fast and I think that fans are going to love and enjoy watching her cause she’s a great addition to our team.” shortstop Hayley Gilleland said.
“Vonnie [Martin] can hit the ball very well, so I don’t think it just relies on the upperclassman, we have underclassman that are going to step up as well.”
The Bulldogs will hit the road for their first month of the season before returning home on March 10. The team will finish their second half of the season in WAC competition before hosting the WAC Tournament at Bulldog Diamond May 11-14.
Head coach Margie Wright, who is entering her 26th season leading the ‘Dogs, said fans attending Saturday’s home opener should expect to see a lot of exciting plays and great hitting from the team and to see that they have returned to their highly competitive level of play.
“I want them to walk away thinking Fresno state softball is back to where they were before,” Wright said. “And I think this group is a really good group to try to do that.”