STOCKTON, Calif. – Fresh off hosting another successful Libby Matson Tournament at Bill Simoni Field, the Pacific softball team (5-3, 0-0 WCC) will head out to begin a lengthy road trip with their first stop at the Fresno State Invitational, to be played at Margie Wright Diamond on the campus of Fresno State University.
Pacific's Tournament Schedule
Friday, February 21
Pacific vs. UC Santa Barbara | 9:00 a.m.
Pacific vs. Illinois-Chicago | 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, February 22
Pacific vs. Ohio State | 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 23
Pacific vs. UC Santa Barbara | 11:30 a.m.
Pacific at Fresno State | 2:30 p.m.
WHAT TO KNOW
- Pacific went 2-2 this past weekend at the annual Libby Matson Tournament, capped by Caitlyn Sung reaching first base on an error to help Pacific walk off Nevada 3-2 on Sunday evening. Talli Shepherd went 3 for 3 with two runs in a breakout performance in Saturday's nightcap, as Pacific scored a dominant 6-1 win over CSU Bakersfield in the Tigers' third game of the tournament. Megan Wachholtz also recorded her first home run as a Tiger in the win over the Roadrunners, belting one from the leadoff spot for the first of Pacific's three fifth-inning runs.
- The Tigers went 3-1 on the opening weekend of the season at the Titan Classic in Fullerton that included a 5-1 win over national power and tournament host Cal State Fullerton. The Tigers started the season 3-0 for the first time since 2013, as Hanna Krosky went 6 for 10 from the plate on the weekend with two runs, a triple, a .636 on-base percentage and an .800 slugging percentage in her first four games for Pacific.
- Jessica Mabrey and Carly Lucchetti were named to the 2020 West Coast Conference Preseason All-Softball Team. Mabrey is the reigning WCC Freshman of the Year after hitting .273 with 36 hits, five home runs, 25 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .477. Lucchetti also enjoyed a standout 2019 season, hitting .295 for the year with 39 hits, 23 runs and a .409 slugging percentage.
- The Tigers welcome six freshmen to the squad in Marissa Fabian, Vanessa Strong, Farrah Steffany, Kailey McNamara, Natalie Linker and Brianna Rodriguez. Each player looks to provide a spark on both sides of the field in their own respective ways and should be great to watch them grow as the season moves along.
- Brian Kolze returns for his 28th season as Pacific's softball coach. Kolze is the longest tenured coach in the WCC and is ranked 20th among active coaches in Division I in terms of tenure. He has a career record of 771-713-1 and a winning percentage of .520.
- Hailey Decker is a fresh face in the dugout, joining Pacific's coaching staff in the fall of 2019. Decker, a middle infielder, played for two elite programs during college, beginning her collegiate career at Nebraska in 2013 and helping the Huskers to a 45-16 record en route to an appearance at the Women's College World Series. Decker transferred to Oregon as a junior and was a starter for the Ducks in the 2015 WCWS, earning All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention and First Team All-Pacific Region.
- Madison Kahwaty finished 2019 hitting .281 with 34 hits, five home runs and a team-leading .901 on-base percentage.
- Local freshmen Marissa Fabian, Natalie Linker and Brianna Rodriguez all look to make a name for themselves as they will represent for the locals who have watched them growing up, now on the big stage of college softball for their hometown school.
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
- Live stats for the Fresno State Invitational will be available at bulldogslive.com.
FOLLOW US
- Be sure to keep up all season long with the Pacific softball program, following the Tyges' news and notes from www.pacifictigers.com. Also, don't forget to like us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more of the latest information.
