Fresno. - After yet another conference title, its 21st, in 2009, the 2010 Fresno State softball team looks to defend its league crown but also has its sights set higher on moving past the NCAA Regional Championship game and getting back to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.

For the 13th time in 15 years, Fresno State was selected by the Western Athletic Conference coaches to win the league in the preseason poll. The `Dogs were also ranked No. 25 in the preseason top 25 NFCA poll and No. 24 in the USA Softball preseason poll.

In her 25th season as head coach of the Bulldogs, Margie Wright looks to lead this veteran group to their 29th-straight NCAA Tournament and extend their own NCAA record. Wright is the Fresno State, WAC and NCAA all-time winningest coach with over 1,300 career victories.

The `Dogs road to the WCWS won't be easy though, as once again Fresno State has one of the most difficult schedules in the country.

But with a talented group of student-athletes at every position and only losing one starter from 2009, this year's team has its sights set high and hopes to make a mark in the world of college softball in 2010.

Pitchers
The Bulldogs return four pitchers from 2009 and still have no seniors on the roster at this position. The `Dogs also add one talented freshman who looks to make a big impact early in the circle.

Morgan Melloh returns as a junior and is the 2010 WAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year and was named to the ASA Top 50 Preseason watch list. Melloh was a First-Team All-WAC selection in 2009 and the 2008 WAC Freshman and Pitcher of the Year. She became just the fourth pitcher in NCAA history to collect back-to-back 400 strikeout seasons in her first two collegiate campaigns. This year, Melloh will look to move further up the Fresno State, WAC and NCAA career pitching lists and will chase Jamie Southern's Fresno State career strikeout record.

"Morgan is one of the most outstanding pitchers to go through this program," Wright said. "Her maturity will lead the pitching staff to new heights this year and her desire to be better than last year will be a motivation for the entire team."

The second junior returning is Ashley Cox. Though she saw limited time in the circle in 2009, Cox has much improved in the offseason and her performance in the classroom and in the community makes her a role model to the team.

"Ashley is a model student-athlete who has really stepped it up this season," Wright said. "She is an awesome role model for her teammates and her contribution on the mound will really help us this season."

Two sophomores return to the circle in Mackenzie Oakes and Michelle Moses. Oakes picked up some key wins as a freshman over New Mexico State, Boise State, San Jose State and a big win over then-ranked No. 20 North Carolina. Oakes missed a majority of the season due to mono but looks to be back in full-swing in 2010.

"Mackenzie is a great team player who brings a winning attitude into this season," Wright added. "She is healthy this year and we look forward to her contribution to our team's success."

Moses played most of her freshman season at first base and excelled there for the `Dogs. She appeared a few times in the circle but has focused on her pitching in the offseason and looks to make an impact in other areas. Moses showed signs of a great bat as a freshman as well.

"After a great freshman season at first base, Michelle will be bringing her talent back to the mound this year," Wright said. "She will bring a different dimension to the staff with her strength of ball movement and keeping the hitters guessing. She is a great addition."

One of the biggest acquisitions for Coach Wright in 2010 was freshman Hannah Williams from the Bay Area. Williams put up unbelievable numbers both in the circle and at the plate in high school and looks to bring her speed and power to the Bulldogs.

"Hannah will not only be a key member of the pitching staff but she will also help our offensive punch with her power and desire to win," Wright said. "She is a great young woman and will make a difference in our team as a freshman."

Catchers
Two veteran catchers return to the battery this year in 2009 Second-Team All-WAC selection Caitlin Stiglich and Kaitlin Griffin.

As a sophomore in 2009, Stiglich used her bat to hit two big grand slams for the `Dogs and showed her power through her slugging percentage. Her strong arm and quickness also keeps runners from stealing bases.

"Caitlin returns with a lot of experience behind the plate that will be very beneficial to our pitching staff," Wright said. "Her offensive punch will really put the offense in gear and her leadership on the field will be huge in our team's success."

Though Griffin saw limited time as a freshman, she looks to make a bigger impact in her second year with the team both behind and at the plate.

"Kaitlin has really stepped it up this offseason and will see action this season pulling the best out of our pitchers," Wright added. "She is smooth behind the plate and runners will have a tough time advancing a base."

Infield
Three of the 2009 starters in the infield return at first base, shortstop and third base. Several student-athletes will fight for the starting position at second base.

Haley Gilleland is one of the captains this year and is the returning shortstop. She was a Second-Team All-WAC selection as a sophomore and her leadership and speed look to set a tone for this team. Gilleland is also chasing the Fresno State stolen base record set by Becky Witt.

"Haley is our leader in the infield and one of the toughest competitors," Wright said. "She is the team co-captain on the field. Her speed and abilities both on defense and offense will make a big difference this season. She is a veteran with a score to settle and will help lead this team to all of its goals."

After playing first base her freshman year, Nicole Angene proved to be an excellent third baseman in 2009 and returns to that position this season.

"This could prove to be Nicole's breakout season," Wright said. "Her great defensive ability will be accompanied by a great offensive offseason and she will really add a punch to our offense. Nicole is a great team player and will really make a difference this year."

Sophomore Alexis Lujan only saw action in the outfield as a freshman but could prove to be an asset this year in the infield. Her explosive bat will also help the `Dogs on offensive the year.

"Alexis has really worked hard in the offseason and her flexibility to play both the infield and outfield as well as hitting for power will really help us attain our goals," Wright added.

Rebecca Walker joins the `Dogs as a freshman and is strong both on offense and defense and will make an immediately impact this season.

"The addition of Becca is going to really be a positive boost for our infield," Wright said. "She is a very versatile ball player and has great defensive ability and will really make a difference. She is a great team player and I can't wait to see her play as a Bulldog."

Outfield
The only two seniors on this year's team reside in the outfield in Lisamarie Coronado and Brooke Phipps. Both had hot bats late last season as Coronado was named to the WAC All-Tournament team and Phipps earned WAC Player of the Week honors for her career-best weekend at Boise State.

"Lisamarie is a player who portrays a `quiet thunder' on the field," Wright said. "She gets the job done offensively and defensively in a very quiet manner and has a goal this season to have her best season ever. She will make a special contribution to our success this season."

"Serving her senior year as a team captain, Brooke has big dreams and high hopes for our team this year," Wright said. "She has a great arm and great leadership in the outfield. Her offensive power made a big difference last year and should continue this season as she sets out to help lead her teammates beyond past accomplishments."

Sophomore's Jody Badorine and Kaylan Pollard return in the outfield. Both were used mostly as pinch runners as freshmen and used their speed to score many runs for the `Dogs.

"Jody finished the season last year on a very high note and so far this year she is picking up where she left off," Wright said. "Her talent is really impressive and her speed and desire to do well will make a big difference in our offense."

"One of the hardest working players on our team is Kaylan," Wright said. "Her drive and desire to be the best are second to none and she is such a valuable team member who will make a difference in the role she assumes in 2010."

Local product Diane Runge is the only freshman added to the outfield. Her hard work and strong arm look to add depth to this year's team. She also has a strong passion and is excited to play for her hometown Bulldogs.

"What an awesome addition to our Bulldog program Diane is," Wright said. "She brings speed and intelligence to our program as a freshman outfielder."

Utility
Two different kinds of sophomores will have multiple roles on the 2010 team.

After an injured-plagued 2009 season, redshirt sophomore Andrea Ortega looks to pick up where she left off in her six games last season. Ortega was hitting well and playing a solid second base in the first two weeks of the season. She has worked hard in the offseason to get back into shape and fine tune her skills.

"It is great having Andrea back on the field," Wright said. "After a tough sophomore season with injuries, she has been working very hard to come back and really make a difference. She looks great both offensively and on the field and her versatility to play everywhere is a positive return to our program."

Courtney Moore is a sophomore transfer from Mississippi State. Her big bat she brings from the SEC will give the `Dogs more power at the plate.

"What a great addition to our program Courtney is," Wright added. "She is a great hitter and will really give our offense a great boost. She can play both infield and outfield but her contribution at the plate will really be a huge plus."

Schedule
This year, the Bulldogs will take on 13 teams that made last year's NCAA Tournament (Mississippi State, Nevada, Stanford, Louisiana-Lafayette, Texas, Ohio State, Cal State Fullerton, San Diego State, DePaul, Illinois, UCLA, Washington and Arizona); five teams that made the Super Regionals (Stanford, Arizona, Washington, Ohio State and UCLA); two Women's College World Series participants (Washington and Arizona) and the defending national champion Washington Huskies.

Four opponents on this year's schedule will face the Bulldogs for the first time: Buffalo, East Carolina, East Tennessee State and Georgetown.

For the first time in two years, the `Dogs begin the season at home with a doubleheader vs. Santa Clara on Feb. 12. Following that, Fresno State hosts the Fresno State Kick-Off, Feb. 13-14, with Pacific and Sacramento State.

Its then off to a very familiar place for the Bulldogs, but not in the regular season, as Fresno State heads north to Stanford for the Nike Invitational Feb. 20-21. The `Dogs have a long history of playing the Cardinal during the post season but will get an opportunity to face them early in the season this year. There, the `Dogs will also face Illinois, UC Riverside and Sacramento State.

"We typically only go to Stanford when we go to Regionals, so this way it gives us a chance to face some in-region and out of region teams that we don't typical get to face during the year," Wright said. "

The `Dogs then head to a very familiar tournament in Cathedral City hosted by Oregon State. The Cathedral City Classic (Feb. 25-28) is host to 33 teams and many top 25 teams. It's at this tournament that the `Dogs will face Texas, Utah, Ohio State, Arizona and Washington.

Two years ago at this tournament, the `Dogs defeated Texas 9-5 and lost a heartbreaking 1-0 contest to Ohio State.

"When we go to Cathedral City, opening up with Texas will be a huge challenge facing the Big 12 and then we play Utah immediately following that which his one of the top Mountain West teams," Wright added. "We also get to face the Big 10 and two really good Pac-10 teams. Our last three games there are against teams that were all in the Super Regionals and two teams that went the WCWS. It will be a really exciting tournament a tough test for our team."

The Bulldogs get a chance to face Washington again, after an 11-inning battle between the two teams last year at the Judi Garman Classic which went to the Huskies, 3-0, in the tiebreaker situation.

"Getting a chance to play Washington will be very exciting for us," Wright added. "Anytime you get to play the defending national champion it's an exciting game and an exciting experience. We know that practically their entire team is back and they will probably be even a little bit better than last year. We faced them early on in our season and played them to an 11-inning tiebreaker and lost but I think it gave our kids a sense at the end of the season that that's how close we could be from taking the next step."

Fresno State then returns to the San Diego Classic I, hosted by both San Diego State and the University of San Diego (March 5-7). It's there that the Bulldogs will take on Wisconsin, UTEP, SDSU, Buffalo and UCLA, which defeated the Bulldogs in the NCAA Regionals last year.

It's back to Bulldog Diamond on March 10 for a doubleheader vs. East Carolina. The `Dogs then host the second annual Bayer CropScience Classic (March 11-14) with Colorado State, Mississippi State, East Tennessee State, Georgetown and Cal State Northridge.

"We will be on the road three-straight weekends so it will be very exciting to come home and play a doubleheader with ECU, which is a team we have never played before," Wright said. "Colorado State and CSUN are nemeses of ours because we have shared conferences with them in the past and they have always been tough opponents. Mississippi State will be a new team for us and being in the SEC they are a very strong program we are looking forward to playing them and hopefully we can get a lot of fans for that game."

On March 16 the `Dogs host Princeton for a single game before heading back down south to the Judi Garman Classic hosted by Cal State Fullerton.

Two years ago, the Bulldogs won the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record and after struggling there last year they look to prove themselves in 2010 against some teams that gave them trouble in 2009. For the second-straight year in Fullerton, the `Dogs will face DePaul and Louisiana-Lafayette and also play games against Cal State Fullerton, Virginia and New Mexico.

Fresno State's only other non-conference games will be a doubleheader at UC Santa Barbara on March 30.

The Western Athletic Conference schedule begins for the `Dogs on March 26 at Nevada. The `Dogs defeated Nevada in the WAC Tournament championship game in Fresno last season as the two teams split the regular season title.

"I think WAC will be exciting for us this year," Wright added. "It's always a challenge going to Nevada and we open up with them. We opened up at home with them this past year but it's always more interesting going up there. Not only because they play better at home but they have a new facility that I'm sure they are excited about. It will be a good opportunity for us and I'm looking forward to it and I think the rest of the team is too."

Fresno State also travels to San Jose State and Hawai'i this year and hosts Boise State, Utah State, New Mexico State and then Louisiana Tech in the regular season finale on May 7.

The 2010 WAC Tournament will have a different look this year as only the top six teams in the standings at the end of the regular season will make the tournament which is in Las Cruces, N.M., and the winner of the double elimination bracket will get an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

"We Are Your Team" - The 2010 Fresno State softball season begins at Bulldog Diamond on Friday, Feb. 12 with a doubleheader vs. Santa Clara beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.gobulldogs.com or by calling (559) 278-DOGS.