[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING 1998 CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO SOFTBALL TEAM MEMBERS

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with Congressman 
Radanovich to congratulate the 1998 California State University, Fresno 
Softball Team upon it's induction into the Fresno Athletic Hall of 
Fame. The team members and coaches will be honored at the 50th 
anniversary enshrinement dinner of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame on 
Thursday, November 6, 2008.
  On a hot day in late May 1998, second baseman Nina Lindenberg sent 
the first pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning over the left-field 
fence and the Lady Bulldogs into history. The home run off Arizona ace, 
Nancy Evans, was Lindenberg's thirteenth of the season, gave the 
Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the championship game at Hall of Fame Stadium in 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Women's College Softball World Series Most 
Valuable Player, Amanda Scott, then polished off a three-hit shutout, 
and the Wildcats, as California State University, Fresno claimed its 
first NCAA Division I team championship in any sport.
  The 1-0 victory capped a magical season for Head Coach Margie 
Wright's Bulldogs, who started the season with a 2-2 record and 
finished with 52 wins 11 loses. The season was highlighted by 4 wins 
and 1 loss in the Women's College World Series, WCWS, with victories 
over Nebraska, Michigan, Washington and top-ranked Arizona. The 
national title was a united effort as four Bulldogs made the All-
Women's College World Series team: outfielder Laura Berg, first baseman 
Angela Cervantez, Nina Lindenberg and Amanda Scott. The Bulldogs 
captivated all of the San Joaquin Valley as their games were aired on 
local radio and ESPN. Seeded seventh in the field, they arrived in 
Oklahoma City determined to win the title for a school that had 
finished second in the WCWS four times.
  The team was led throughout the year by a pitching staff that 
included Amanda Scott (25-4, 0.79 ERA) and Lindsay Parker (21-4, 1.54 
ERA) and a balanced hitting attack keyed by Laura Berg (.458 batting 
average, 72 runs), Nina Lindenberg (.449, 77 RBI), outfielder Becky 
Witt (.392, 69 runs) and Amanda Scott (14 home runs, 72 RBI). The team 
included; OF Laura Berg, 1B Angela Cervantez, 2B Nina Lindenberg, 
Lindsay Parker, P Amanda Scott, Becky Witt, OF Candice Bowlin, OF Kara 
Campbell, SS Alicia Dowland, C/1B Jennifer Jokinen, 3B Jaime Maxey, P 
Kim Peck, C Jennifer Slaney, C Janna Todd, I B Vanessa Valenzuela, C 
Amber Wall, C Carolyn Wilson, OF Daviana Wisener. The coaching staff 
was headed by Margie Wright, assisted by Margaret Sutter and Mary Ivy. 
Also involved with the team was Maribel Campos, manager and Andrew 
Weeks, trainer.
  Madam Speaker, we rise today to commend and congratulate 1998 
California State University, Fresno Softball Team upon its achievements 
and induction into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in wishing the 1998 Fresno State Softball Team 
congratulations on its many accomplishments.

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