Fresno State softball record-setter Wilson is Mountain West freshman of the year

Fresno State record-setting base stealer McKenzie Wilson is the Mountain West softball freshman of the year and the only Bulldog to make the all-conference first team announced Wednesday.

Two players with central San Joaquin Valley ties also were honored. San Jose State junior shortstop Cassidy Clark from Clovis West High was co-defensive player of the year and Boise State senior shortstop Rebekah Cervantes from Redwood High made first team.

Fresno State pitchers Hailey Dolcini, a sophomore, and Danielle Lung, a freshman from Clovis High; junior third baseman Schuylar Broussard and junior designated player Hayleigh Galvan made second team.

Wilson is part of a strong freshman class in Mountain West softball, joining four others on the all-conference first team plus pitcher of the year Janessa Ullegue from San Jose State. Senior left-handed catcher/slugger Amber Nelson from conference champion Colorado State is player of the year.

Wilson is on the 25-player National Fastpitch Coaches Association freshman of the year finalist list. She is the Fresno State season record-holder with 35 stolen bases, including a Mountain West-leading 14 in conference games. She led the MW with three triples, ws tied for second with 34 hits and sixth with a .400 batting average (.387 overall).

The Bulldogs got the news as they boarded the bus headed to Reno where they’ll play in a four-team National Invitational Softball Championship regional starting at 1 p.m. Thursday against UC Riverside. Loyola Marymount and host Nevada also play.

This story was originally published May 15, 2019 at 11:43 AM.