March 22, 2017

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Wednesday, March 22, 2017

BULLDOG FOR LIFE

A blooming passion for success Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

Jessica Adams meets with Fresno State students in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center on March 16, 2017. Adams is the coordinator for the Cross Cultural and Gender Center.

By Razmik Cañas | @Raz_Canas Jessica Adams once wondered what her purpose was. She was alone without an education and needed to move forward.

“I ended up getting kicked out of school, so I ended up getting addicted to drugs. I had a really big drug problem,” Adams said.

“I ended up getting clean when I was about 17, and I tested out of high school early. The only year of high school I actually attended was ninth grade.”

That independence gave Adams the chance for some self-improvement. She got

a job and was providing for herself. She later became pregnant, giving birth to a baby boy.

“I was floating a lot until I had my son,” she said. “Once I had a child, I had more of a purpose.”

When her son was one year old, his father died. Adams needed to push forward not only for herself, but also her son.

“I want to provide for this child,” Adams

See BULLDOG FOR LIFE, Page 3

GRADUATE CENTER

Better ‘graduate culture’ sought at Fresno State

By Daniel Gligich @DanielGligich

The Graduate Study Center offers more than 2,000 graduate students at Fresno State different services – all focused on student success.

And with 47 graduate programs, Dr. James Marshall, the dean of research and graduate studies, said the university needs to enhance its graduate culture.

“If you’re going to have these graduate programs, particularly doctoral programs, there needs to be a graduate culture on campus,” Marshall said. “Part of that is to establish a space specifically for graduate students and particular supports for graduate students.”

One of those spaces already available for graduates is the study center, located on the

second floor of the Henry Madden Library.

It gives graduate students a quiet place to study and houses the Graduate Writing Studio and the Graduate Statistics Studio.

The writing studio started in 2010, while the statistics studio officially opened in fall 2016, though it started to offer some statistics services a year earlier.

Based on interactions with faculty, Marshall said, one of the areas in need of support among graduate studies is academic writing. He said some graduate students struggle with writing, either because English is not their first language or they have come back to school after working professionally in an industry where writing was not a major component.

In previous years, there was not a place for graduate students to receive help for their statistical research. The statistics center was created and, like the writing center,

it offered one-on-one support.

Christopher Greenwood, graduate statistics studio coordinator, said most graduate students have to complete a thesis, dissertation or project that needs qualitative or quantitative statistics, and the statistics studio helps with every step.

“We know a lot of the pitfalls to avoid and ways to somewhat fast-track their progress,” Greenwood said. “We can help them brainstorm. We can get them headed towards the right direction, how to set up their study properly. Maybe they’re going to set up a survey or something, we can show them how to do that.”

There have been discussions recently about offering a professional development course, Greenwood said. It would be a free course in which students would meet with Greenwood on a weekly or semiweekly basis and discuss items they can use and put

on a resume.

Greenwood said many graduate students do not know that the studio exists.

He wants more students to use it.

“We’d love to help with their research questions, or anything at all related to what it is they plan on doing with their academic career or even beyond that,” Greenwood said.

Debra Neufeld and Ronald Dzerigian are instructional support technicians in the writing center. They help students on a daily basis with their writing.

“We cover every level of their writing needs, from the beginning stages – brainstorming and drafting and outlining – all the way through to the end product, which often involves formatting to their required style, whether it be APA or MLA, and for

See GRADUATE CENTER, Page 3

OPINION

GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A ‘Bold New U’ shouldn’t take priority over diverse student needs

By Andrew Dadasovich Special to The Collegian

In the time of uncertainty for us all, we should not add a weight to the students of the future.

A new University Student Union is on the ballot in March, and this means that an increase to tuition is attached. When the CSU is already threatening to increase tu-

ition on students, why double the increase on struggling students? A luxury tax on the poor will not help students, it will kill them.

Diversity is at risk of being lost at this university. Our tuition will be spent on a space for those who are privileged – i.e., Smittcamp students who pay little to no tuition every year. Associated Students Inc. and the USU board both are advocating for this increase in tuition while many

of the members are Smittcamp recipients.

The administration is looking to solidify its legacy on campus with a fancy new building. All of this will be put on the backs of the students who work multiple jobs in order to pay tuition and scrape by.

When our growing population on campus is looking for an increase in professors who represent our demographics, the university seems to not be listening.

We need a diverse faculty, not a new

gaming center. We need full-time staff, not new food options on campus. We do not need a new USU when we have a blank canvas in the Satellite Student Union. We do not need a tuition increase in our future.

This lapse in judgement cannot be copied onto the ASI elections when roughly 12 percent of the student population votes.

Students don’t want a “home away from home,” they want an education.

Courtesy of Student Involvement

A photo rendering of the proposed new University Student Union and Faculty Center.

It’s time for an updated University Student Union

By Dan Waterhouse Special to The Collegian

Let’s cut to the chase – I support the new USU project. The existing University Student Union is 50 years old and outdated

for serving today’s students. At some point in the near future, substantial investments will be needed to keep it operating.

I’m tired of Fresno State students poor-mouthing the way they have for decades. In an effort to lessen the financial hit, construction of a new USU proposed

in the late 1970s was phased. The end result was the half-baked Satellite Student Union on Maple Mall.

Some have suggested the current USU be closed and the fee dollars shifted to “direct student support.” The money cannot be diverted to anything else. It currently

pays for the Student Recreation Center and for debt services on both the USU and the Rec. I applaud Dr. Castro for having the referendum and letting students have their voice. He simply could’ve imposed the new fee.

Jordan Bradley • The Collegian

THE COLLEGIAN The Collegian is a student-run publication that serves the Fresno State community. Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university. fresnostate.edu/collegian

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

Leaving a legacy of inclusion, advocacy

Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

Jessica Adams (left) discusses future plans with Rachel Nieto (middle) and Jud Jackson (right) in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center on March 16, 2017.

BULLDOG FOR LIFE from Page 1 said. “I want to make sure he has a good life.

He really gave me a purpose to move forward until I figured out who I was outside of him.”

At that point, Adams knew she had to go back to what she’d left behind – an education.

“I was a single parent all the way, so I knew I needed to get an education,” Adams said.

After attending Fresno City College, Adams enrolled at Fresno State. She entered as a public health major with an interest in reproductive health.

After realizing chemistry was not her strength, she decided to choose another path – women’s studies. There was no going back after attending Dr. Kathryn Forbes introductory women’s studies course.

“It changed my entire life,” Adams said.

“The class changed my life. The professor, who is still a mentor of mine, she changed my life.”

Adams found the content to be empowering and began volunteering at the Women’s Resource Center on campus. She learned about the opportunities women can have in the world, no matter what setbacks they may have. She also admired Forbes, who pushed her to do her best. It was something Adams had never experienced.

“Knowing that somebody cared, somebody wanted me to be successful, that really helped me move forward,” Adams said.

Adams graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies. It was 2009, and she was in search of employment in the midst of The Great Recession.

She began substitute teaching for the Clovis Unified School District and quickly realized that it was not the career for her.

She wanted a teaching job where she could express her ideas without being restricted by a set of rules.

“Right when I started questioning, ‘Do I want to work in K through 12?’ I got an opportunity through the Marjaree Mason Center to work in their education department,” Adams said. “It was like combining my two passions of working with women’s empowerment and education.”

She helped organize community education programs for the public while assisting the center’s victims in receiving an education. A few years later, Adams got a new learning opportunity. She gained leadership skills by running a batterers education department, seeing all aspects of domestic violence.

“I was the only employee in that center,” Adams said. “Being in the middle of that helped me see that I want to help people on a broader scale.”

Adams got the chance to come back to where her passion had started when she became interim director of the Women’s Resource Center at Fresno State. Later that year, she was hired on as the permanent director.

The department later grew to what is now the Cross Cultural and Gender Center, where she now serves as the coordinator of gender programs and services.

Adams will be receiving her master’s degree through the Higher Education, Administration and Leadership (HEAL) program.

She began in the program thinking she wanted to one day become a vice president of student affairs at a university.

One year into the program, she realized that her “true passion” was students.

“And while in student affairs at a VP level, you are helping students be successful.

You’re in charge of student success,” Adams said. “You’re in charge of all these programs [but] you don’t have that student contact, and that’s what I want.”

This realization is leading her to her next chapter. She will be moving to Iowa State University in the fall to earn her doctorate in education.

“My dream is to be able to travel as a professor. I don’t want to just go to one place and be tenured and stay there,” Adams said.

“I want to travel to different communities and help different communities better themselves.”

Just as her son was by her side when she began her academic career, he will be following in her footsteps during the move to Iowa.

“He sees me as always learning. When we move and I start my first year of Ph.D., he’s going to start his first year of high school,” Adams said. “So we get to travel this road together, and he sees that anybody can do education. It’s not for other people, it’s for everybody.”

Adams started her journey without having someone show her the way. Now she’s in a position where she can provide support to other students.

“I want everybody to believe that they can do it themselves,” Adams said. “And honestly sometimes all that is is just somebody telling them, ‘I believe that you can do it.’”

Inclusion is what Adams believes causes everyone to have success. She is an advocate for every student and says that connecting with one another can bring change.

“We have to be change agents. We have to find a group that we belong to, or can belong to, or people that accept us. And we change everybody else,” Adams said. “You can’t wait for other people to make it better.

You have to find somebody to support you and move forward to make it better.”

PAGE 3

Study center geared toward graduate students GRADUATE CENTER from Page 1 matting into the template for thesis dissertation and projects,” Dzerigian said.

This semester, Dzerigian said, the studio is offering students extra services on Fridays focused on formatting papers. Graduate students must turn in their theses by March 27 and may have many questions regarding their format.

Both studios also hold various workshops, which focus on topics such as academic writing, MLA style, avoiding plagiarism, APA style, thesis information sessions and analyzing variance and simple regression.

Graduate students can make appointments with consultants in both studios to receive one-on-one help. Neufeld said that consultants are not there to edit student papers, but to have a conversation about their writing and help them with their research.

“Our purpose is to teach them to better communicate and feel like they can contribute to the academic conversation,” Dzerigian said.

The Graduate Study Center uses Zoom, an online meeting and conferencing platform that allows for audio, video and screen sharing, to help students with geographic or time constraints, Neufeld said.

The center started using Zoom in fall 2014, which immediately increased the efficiency in which students received help. Before, Neufeld said, online communications were very inefficient, but now students are able to receive needed help because of screen sharing.

Graduate students can call 278-2450 or email fresnostategws@gmail.com to request an appointment with a consultant in the writing center. If a student does not have an appointment, he or she can drop in and and work with a consultant if a consultant is available.

We want your view on

THE BOLD NEW U Get informed before you vote

THURSDAY, MARCH 23 1-2 P.M. – USU 312-314

A campus conversation for all of Fresno State Hosted by The Collegian

A&E

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017

TRADITIONS

to the Future’ with Vintage Da k c a B ‘ g n i o G ys

By Alexis Ford

Special to The Collegian Since 1974, Vintage Days has taken event planning and creativity to the next level.

Throughout the years, it has become more student run while maintaining its ongoing mission to bring the community to Fresno State.

“I think every year, since there is a new group of students planning it, that they add their own little unique personality to it,” said Ramiro Merino, assistant student director of Vintage Days.

“Every year it’s different than the previous year.”

This year, 15 volunteer students on the Vintage Days committee are planning to incorporate new events and themes for the Fresno State community to enjoy by bringing back the dynamic rock’n’roll era of the ‘50s.

“Some of the events that we have going on are still kind of in the works,” said Cindy Kouyate, student director of Vintage Days.

“A lot of it is going to be more student involved.”

Kouyate said there will be the “Vintage Challenge,” which encourages students to compete in teams and get involved in activities that have been set by the committee throughout the event April 21 to 23. The activities will offer the chance for the teams to win prizes.

“This year, there is going to be more trivia and more mental activities,” Kouyate said.

In addition to the team events, there will be other events tailored for the community, including a family movie night.

“That seems to always be a good way for families to come to campus and spend time on campus,” said Merino.

Shawna Blair, the program and events coordinator at Fresno State and staff adviser of Vintage Days, said this year’s movie night will be featuring “Back to the Future.”

Blair said the family-friendly kids zone will feature some new creatures.

“We will have reptiles out there this year,” Blair said. “That will be a new addition to what we normally have out there, which are the petting zoo and the pony rides.”

Kouyate said there are options for adults, too.

“We usually feature a beer and wine garden for people who are 21 and over,” Kouyate said. “They are more than welcome to enjoy that, as well.”

From booths to games to a concert series, Kouyate said that there is something for everyone.

“Vintage Days, as a whole, is more geared towards the community,” Kouyate said.

Although there are multiple options for the community to come out and enjoy themselves, college students will have even more.

Blair said that they do plan to have some sort of special college night for students.

“That’s all geared toward our students,” said Blair. “Hopefully it’s going to be some sort of dance or party-type of event.”

She said that the performance stage this year features more student groups and local bands that will be performing throughout the three days.

“We have dance groups, and then bands, and then solo singers,” Blair said.

Students are the main attraction this year, as Vintage Days will be holding the President’s Showcase of Excellence in the Satellite Student Union.

“It highlights colleges and departments

on campus and the work that they’ve done throughout the whole year,” Merino said.

“It’s a really great opportunity to showcase what they’ve been working on.”

Along with free admission, there will be free parking, which allows the community to come and enjoy the event and put their money where they want to, they said.

“Again, by spending their money on campus, it goes back to supporting [the] campus and supporting Vintage Days being able to put itself on,” Blair said.

She said that purchases at club food or game booths help support students.

“It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year,” Blair said.

Kouyate said there will be 35 to 40 game and food booths this year, as well as over 100 booths in the Crafts Faire. The Crafts Faire booths will all feature handmade items. There will also be a wide variety of food options.

“There is a staff behind all of this, but it’s the biggest event planned by students,” Blair said. “It really is a whole student committee who are helping to facilitate and plan it.”

Our increased income guidelines

have made it easier for students to qualify!

ASI ELECTIONS

MARCH 28 - 30 Check your student email account for unique username and password

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San Joaquin College of Law’s Career Panel TueSday, aPRiL 4 from 7:00-9:00pm at San Joaquin CoLLege of Law

Brandon Collet, Class of 2009 Deputy City Attorney

sally Moreno, Class of 1995 Sr. Deputy District Attorney

Jonathan O. Peña, Class of 2010 Social Security Disability Law

Lazaro salazar, Class of 2003 Immigration Attorney

Rene sample, Class of 1988 Trial Attorney

Considering law school? Your bachelor’s degree in any major qualifies you to apply.

A law degree provides “One Degree a World of Options.” Learn from a panel of San Joaquin College of Law alumni in this free forum and discover the diverse career opportunities a law degree can provide. Facilitated by Dean Pearson, panelists will share information regarding their career paths and how best to prepare, offering their own experiences and examples.

Reserve your space now at www.sjcl.edu or 559/323-2100

One Degree. A World of Options.

June Lsat Registration Deadline is April 26 • Law School Application Deadline is June 30

NOTICIAS

These stories are available on The Collegian website in English and Spanish.

Estos artículos están disponibles en el sitio web de The Collegian en español e inglés.

MIÉRCOLES, 22 DE MARZO DE 2017

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LOS DANZANTES DE AZTLÁN

Expresando la diversidad a través de la danza Escrito por Yesenia Candelaria y Rebeca Flores @yesiamanda6 y @rebecaaflores

Los Danzantes de Aztlán, un grupo de baile en el campus de Fresno State, demuestran cómo los diferentes trasfondos culturales pueden unirse a través de la danza y sus presentaciones.

El grupo de danza folclórica fue fundado en 1970 por Ernesto Martínez, a través del departamento de estudios latinoamericanos y de chicanos.

El grupo es el más antiguo del Valle Central y sirve para que los estudiantes se reúnan y aprendan los estilos de danza de diferentes estados de México.

“Uno aprende que México es diverso por sí mismo”, dijo Mayra Aceves, la presidenta de Los Danzantes. “Trayendo esta cultura a la universidad y exponiendo a la gente para que tengan un conocimiento de que tan diversos son los países de México”.

Ella sirve como asistente del director Dr. Victor Torres y también es un estudiante en el programa de maestría para consejería y ha estado bailando con Los Danzantes por cuatro años.

Aceves dijo que teniendo grupos de danza como Los Danzantes y otros grupos culturales en el campus es una manera de traer respeto y aprecio hacia las diferentes culturas.

“Nuestro grupo representa mucho más

que la danza”, dijo el bailarín Juvenal Moctezuma, un estudiante de negocios internacionales y estudios latinoamericanos y de chicanos, y quien también es vicepresidente del grupo. “Representamos un trasfondo lleno de diversidad que nos da la capacidad de conectarnos con otros individuos. Esto ayuda que la gente vea que nuestra cultura no ha sido olvidada”.

Los Danzantes baila en varios lugares, como eventos escolares, casas de retiro, y también shows de gala.

“Nuestra energía es tan alta y nos alimentamos de la sensación positiva”, dijo Daisy Hernández una bailarina de Los Danzantes. “Nos permite poner más esfuerzo en la forma de nuestros pies. Me gusta danzar en Warnors Theater por su historia”.

Hernández dijo que el grupo asistió al evento Pueblo Fest de Tulare, California donde realizaron bailes del estado de Hidalgo; también, participaron en un concurso y ganaron en primer lugar.

Aceves, Moctezuma y otros bailarines se están preparándo para presentaciones en marzo y abril. El grupo planea dar una presentación en Preview Day y también en la celebración de César Chávez en el Peace Garden a fin de mes.

“Teniendo una audiencia en vivo es algo que no se puede describir. Creo que esa es mi parte favorita de la danza”, dijo Moctezuma. “También tenemos que viajar a diferentes estados y conocer a otros compañeros bailarines. Es una sensación increíble y compartir el escenario con otros grupos

Foto Cortesia de Los Danzantes de Aztlán

de todo el mundo. Gente que comparte la misma pasión por la danza y la cultura de lo mismo como tú.”

El grupo también está organizando el 11th annual El Festival de Los Danzantes el 7 a el 9 de abril en el campus. Instructores y bailarines de México y otras partes de California mostraran talleres para enseñar a los participantes — de 4 a 60 años de edad — diferentes bailes de México.

“Este es un festival que organizamos durante las vacaciones de primavera cada año aquí en Fresno State,” dijo Moctezuma.

“Tenemos varios talleres de danza de principiante a avanzados que reciben enseñanzas de prestigiosos maestros de México”.

Moctezuma también dijo que está listo para ver a los niños ir al festival, y disfrutar en aprender los bailes.

El festival está abierto a la comunidad, y los talleres impartirán danzas de estados como Zacatecas, Jalisco y Michoacán.

“Realmente me gusta cómo la gente puede tomar los bailes que aprenden en

nuestro festival y enseñarles a otros grupos de bailarines”, dijo Moctezuma.

Una gala de conciertos tomará lugar el sábado 8 de abril por la noche del festival en Satellite Student Union. El domingo 9 de abril, los participantes del taller mostrarán lo que han aprendido.

“Es una buena técnica para promover que Fresno State tiene un grupo fuerte de folklórico”, dijo Estevan Parra. “Hay oportunidades de trabajo y podemos promover la educación superior a los estudiantes de secundaria que participan”.

Parra es un estudiante de administración que ha bailado con Los Danzantes desde el 2009. Dijo que espera ver a todos reunirse para el festival y apreciar el valor cultural.

Los Danzantes De Aztlán está en Facebook y Twitter @LosDanzantesDeAztlan.

El público está invitado a ir a cualquier presentación local.

LITERATURA CHICANX/LATINX

Pedagogas hablan sobre los retos de la diversificación del currículum Escrito por Francisco J. De León @frankiejda

April 14, 2017 @ 3 p.m.

Cuatro mujeres se reunieron en Fresno State para hablar de los retos que enfrentan en su intento en lograr que el campo académico sea más diverso.

El discurso del panel, titulado “Our place on the shelf: A Cross-Disciplinary Discussion on Chicanx/Latinx Youth Literature”, les proveyó a las panelistas la oportunidad de dar su conocimiento de los retos que impiden la diversificación en el campo académico.

Este discurso tomó lugar el 14 de marzo con el apoyo de la organizadora del evento Jennifer Crow del Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature.

Las panelistas incluyeron a Guadalupe García McCall, una artista en residencia; Laura Alamillo, quien trabaja en alfabetización, temprana, bilingüe y educación especial; Cristina Herrera, del departamento de estudios latinoamericanos y de chicanos; y Larissa Mercado-López, del programa de Estudios de la mujer.

Mercado-López dijo, durante el discurso, que a veces se le reta cuando sus estudiantes preguntan que cuándo van a aprender la “verdadera literatura americana”.

Mercado-López dijo que novelas como “What night brings” de la autora Carla Trujillo “profundiza la experiencia educativa de [sus estudiantes] sobre ‘queerness and queer identity’ mientras se cruza con otras identidades de género, raza y etnia.

Tener estas voces [las novelas] en el aula ha sido enriquecedor”.

García McCall, quien, por 28 años, ha enseñado en Texas, dijo que siempre le ha costado incorporar en su currículum

los libros de Chicanx/Latinx con los cuales más se identifican sus estudiantes. En su escuela, la demográfica es 95 por ciento de ascendencia mexicana. Ella dijo que hay libros que ella hubiera preferido elegir para sus estudiantes.

García McCall ha publicado novelas, las cuales han recibido premios dentro del campo de la literatura, para adolescentes.

Las novelas incluyen “Under the Mesquite” y “Summer of the Mariposas”. Su último libro, “Shame the Stars”, combina un cuento de amor con sucesos históricos que ocurrieron durante los tiempos de la Revolución mexicana, sucesos como el linchamiento de personas de ascendencia mexicana.

“Literatura Chicanx para niños es más que ventanas y puertas; es una comida, una necesidad, porque energiza al cuerpo y alimenta el alma de nuestros estudiantes”, dijo García McCall.

Por primera vez, el semestre anterior, Herrera incorporó la novela “Under the Mesquite” en su currículum.

“Les encantó a mis estudiantes, y varios de ellos lloraron. Lloraron por la narración – porque es muy bella – pero también lloraron de frustración”, dijo Herrera. “Ellos [los estudiantes] dijeron, ‘profesora, ¿por qué no vi esto en la preparatoria?

Siento como si tuviera mucho por hacer.

Necesito ponerme al día. Me siento como si me he quedado atrás. ¿Por qué se me ha ocultado esto?’”, ella dijo.

Herrera cree que muchos estudiantes no han sido expuestos a la literatura Chicanx/ Latinx.

“Más que nada, los estudiantes se dan cuenta que si no leen textos que se relacionan con ellos, ellos mismos llegan a percibir como si sus vidas e historias no importan”, ella dijo. “Ese es un asunto que necesitamos enfrentar”.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

PAGE 7

‘There’s no minor leaguers to call up, there’s no trades to be made’ THE PAWSPECTIVE from Page 8 ERA in 104 innings pitched and limited opponents to a .223 batting average.

In just 5 games started and pitched this season, the San Diego native is well on his way to topping last season’s statistics.

The social work major has pitched over half of each game totaling 32.1 innings etching 48 strikeouts, 12 walks, and a 3.06 ERA. Thomas’ record is 2-1, but when pitching the Bulldogs record is 2-3.

In three of the five games that Thomas has pitched, the Bulldogs have led their opponents, but later on given up the lead.

In another three of the five games that Thomas has started, he has been the first of four pitchers atop the hill, all entering the game after Thomas’ 5 innings or more.

Needless to say, Thomas has been a staple for the Bulldogs and head coach Mike Batesole, but the rest of the bullpen needs some fine tuning, particularly the relief pitchers. Batesole’s go-to relievers junior

Fred Schlichtholz, redshirt junior JJ Santa Cruz, and sophomore Edgar Gonzalez should be doing exactly that: relieving their starting pitcher and defense.

“These kids aren’t perfect, sometimes they get beat. There’s no minor leaguers to call up, there’s no trades to be made,” Batesole said. “We gotta get these guys better. The guys that we have are the guys that we have and we gotta make ‘em pitch better.”

Schlichtholz has pitched in six games this season for a total of 17 innings and allowed 13 hits and 8 earned runs. Santa Cruz has given up 20 hits and 11 earned runs in 16.2 innings across eight games. In eight games and 14 innings pitched Gonzalez has given up 13 hits and 4 earned runs.

Thomas has chalked just 11 earned runs in 32.1 innings. Ranked 44th on Baseball America’s top 100 draft prospects, the pitcher is sure to be at the very least a second-round draft pick. And with the way Thomas’ seasons going and the

Christian Ortuno • The Collegian

Ricky Tyler Thomas

way in which his fellow slingers’ seasons are not, forgoing his senior year to enter the draft would be wise for the 21-year old.

After all, Major League Baseball has become a pitcher’s game and Thomas falls nothing short of a competitor.

Thomas’ passion and determination to win when he’s out on the bump is hard to miss, but hard to detect among his teammates.

Fresno State baseball has inked three pitchers in their incoming 2017-18 recruiting class, but three newcomers will not solve the Bulldogs’ bullpen woes in a single season for the sake of their star in Thomas.

While I am not normally one to suggest taking money and fame over an education, Thomas’ potential is not being reached at Pete Beiden Field. Not entering the draft this June would mean another year of leaving the field with his hung head low and without a doubt, a missed opportunity for Thomas to make his mark in the big leagues.

This Week in Sports dnesday e W Baseball v. Pepperdine 4:05 p.m.

Women’s Golf @ SDSU March Mayhem TBA Lacrosse v. St. Francis @ 5 p.m.

Friday

Baseball v. SDSU 6:05 p.m.

Men’s Tennis @ Hawaii Sophomore, 10:30 a.m.

Business

Equestrian v. TBD TBA Softball v. Boise State 6 p.m.

Saturday Men’s Tennis v.

Washington 10:30 a.m.

Baseball v. SDSU 6:05 p.m.

Equestrian v. TBD TBA Track & Field @ Cal Poly Invitational TBA Lacrosse @ Colorado 11 a.m.

Softball v. Boise State 6 p.m.

S u n d ay

Men’s Tennis v. Cal Poly SLO 1 p.m.

Baseball v. SDSU 1:05 p.m.

Softball v. Boise State 11 a.m.

By Nugesse Ghebrendrias @nugebear13

Fresno State outfielder Morgan Howe is this week’s Top Dog after going 6-for-10 over the weekend at San Diego State University with 4 RBIs, a double and a homerun in the series. The sophomore’s batting

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017

average has improved to .470 on the season, the highest of the Diamond ‘Dogs.

Once forced to play baseball as a kid, Howe recalled how she found her way to the sport she loves now.

“I’ve been playing since [I was] 7 or 8 years old,” Howe said. “My dad actually put me in baseball first, and I hated it so I

made him let me quit.

Howe said that what she loves most about the sport is that “whatever you put into it, you’re going to get out of it.”

“You can’t just show up one day without being prepared at all,” she said. “You have to work for it, and the game knows.”

In just her second season as a Bulldog, Howe expects to continue playing softball the rest of her time at Fresno State and maybe even beyond.

“If the opportunity is there, I think it would be really cool to keep playing,” Howe said. “I’m not sure what I want to do or what I want to be, but I’m invested in softball and if the sport takes me farther then that’s cool.”

“Always keep trucking when times are hard,” Howe said. “Our three words are grit, relentless and family. I think that’s a huge part of being a Bulldog.”

In terms of the 2017 season, Howe expects to continue growing as a player by working hard. She expects to go further this year in the postseason tournament.

“Just continuing to work hard and continuing to be the best I can be for my team — obviously, winning the Mountain West and also going farther in regionals than they did last year,” Howe said.

Fun Facts

Favorite food: Strawberries Favorite movie: “Tangled” Pregame routines or rituals: “Left sock then the right sock”

Favorite game day venue:

“The only time I’ve been anywhere has been for softball, but I liked Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) this year. That was really fun being in Mexico. I’ve never been out of the country, so that was the first time.

Name Morgan Howe #47

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Sophomore, Criminology

Mira Mesa, CA

WATCH: For video on this story, visit our website: Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

http://fresnostate.edu/collegian

Sophomore outfielder Morgan Howe up to bat against Cal State Bakersfield on Tuesday, March 21 at Margie Wright Diamond.

THE PAWSPECTIVE

Ricky Tyler Thomas’ talents being wasted

By Jenna Wilson @fsjennawilson

If you’ve been to any Fresno State baseball game in the 2017 season, then you have surely noticed that the bullpen has not been the Bulldogs’ strong suit thus far, with the exception of junior lefty Ricky Tyler Thomas.

On the mound, decorated with athletic prescription glasses, Thomas’ generously listed 6’1, 185 lb. stature is hardly intimidating, until he throws his 90 mph fastball.

Thomas led the Mountain West last season with 108 strikeouts posting a 2.16

See THE PAWSPECTIVE, Page 7

Christian Ortuno • The Collegian

Junior pitcher Ricky Tyler Thomas pitches against UC Riverside on Friday, February 24, 2017, at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.