The Fresno State softball team takes the mound at Margie Wright Diamond on Feb. 6 to kick off their 2026 season with a doubleheader opener against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and Idaho State. The ‘Dogs will be led by first-year Head Coach Charlotte Morgan.
Last season, the ‘Dogs finished with an overall record of 37-20 and a conference record of 15-7. Now with Morgan, who formerly coached at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), intends to build on that this season. Morgan is already feeling akin to the Bulldogs, being drawn in by Fresno State’s rich history and sense of community.
“Coming in, being new, you never know how soon you’re going to get that, but I think that community home feeling was a surprise, and I feel very thankful that they welcomed us,” Morgan said.
Morgan is set on bringing a new mentality to this team as they prepare for the upcoming season. She intends to find a new identity for the ‘Dogs, with a clear goal of making the postseason and contending early on.
“This team’s been great,” Morgan said. “We’re enjoying each other, but there’s a lot that we’ve been going over, new structure, new standards, new discipline. The expectation is getting into the postseason and contending.”
Alongside a new head coach, there are also new additions to the roster made this season, like senior pitcher Lauryn Carranco, who previously played under Morgan at CSUN last season. The ‘Dogs are relying on the leadership of returning players to set the culture and embrace the changes.
Senior outfielder Natalie Elias, last season’s leadoff hitter, said the team has not only embraced the changes but has grown closer as a result.
“I was a little worried about culture,” Elias said. “But we’ve come together really nicely, we’re really bonded and I think we’re going to carry that through the season.”
The ‘Dogs are committed to working hard and bringing the energy to the Marge this season, promising the Red Wave a season full of thrills and high stakes.
“The Red Wave can expect big energy,” Elias said. “We’re excited, we’re here to have fun and we’re going to leave it all on the field every game.”
The Bulldogs will get their first chance to show off their energy on Feb. 6 at the Margie Wright Diamond, where they will meet SIUE at 3:00 p.m. and Idaho State at 5:00 p.m.
