The USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced the preseason Top 25 with Fresno State earning a No. 15 ranking. The Bulldogs were the only Western Athletic Conference team ranked in the preseason poll.
The Bulldogs ended the 2002 season with a 50-20 record, advancing to NCAA Regionals for the 21st-straight season. The Bulldogs fell in Regionals to Cal State Fullerton and eventual Womens College World Series Champion, California. Fresno State returns All-American pitcher Jamie Southern who led the nation in earned run average with a 0.44 ERA.
The WAC coaches voted the Bulldogs to win the league by a 25-19 margin over Hawaii and Tulsa. The coaches also voted on 2003 preseason award winners. Hawaii shortstop Kate Judd was voted preseason Player of the Year for the second-straight season, while Fresno States Jamie Southern earned preseason Pitcher of the Year honors for the second time. Both Judd and Southern earned these honors in the postseason as well.
This season, Nevada begins its first season in the WAC. With the departure of Loyola Marymount and Portland State, there are six teams playing in the WAC. The 2003 WAC season begins Friday, Jan. 31 when San Jose State plays in the Early Bird Classic.
For complete poll go to:
The NFCA web site