Big Valley News
Central Valley's Independent News Source
Leiden, NETHERLANDS --- Former Fresno State guard Braxton Huggins has a signed a one-year professional contract to play for Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden (ZZ Leiden) in the Netherlands.
"I am super excited and ready to handle business," Huggins said of signing his first professional contract. "I want to thank ZZ Leiden for giving me this opportunity and believing in me."
AUSTIN, Texas - The Fresno Foxes saw their franchise-record win streak come to an end in Texas, where they fell 1-0 to Austin Bold FC on Saturday. Promise Isaac's goal at the 43rd minute was just enough for the hosts to take all 3 points.
Fresno FC nearly struck at the fourth minute, when Alex Cooper sent in a cross from the left side but Qudus Lawal couldn't put his finishing touch on frame. Thirteen minutes later, Lawal had another opportunity, this time curling in a low shot at the right corner, only to see it slapped away by Austin goalkeeper Diego Restrepo. Lawal nearly made up for it on the following corner kick, but his side volley sailed wide left.
LAS VEGAS – Boise State has been chosen to finish atop the Mountain Division, while three-time Mountain West champion Fresno State has been predicted to win the West Division title, as announced today by the Mountain West at its annual media days, being held at Green Valley Ranch.
This marks the seventh season of divisional play for the Conference, which moved to the two, six-team divisional format in 2013 following the additions of San José State and Utah State. The Mountain Division is comprised of Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico, Utah State and Wyoming, while Fresno State, Hawai‘i, Nevada, San Diego State, San José State and UNLV make up the West Division. The two divisional winners will meet in the MW Championship Game on Dec. 7, 2019 at the home stadium of the divisional champion with the highest winning percentage in Conference games only.
FRESNO - Fresno State Baseball is officially back in the NCAA Tournament as the field was announced on Monday morning with the Bulldogs being selected as the No. 3 seed in the Stanford Regional.
Fresno State (38-14-1) will open the 2019 NCAA Tournament against No. 2 seed UC Santa Barbara (45-9) on Friday, May 31 at 7 p.m. at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond on ESPN3. Stanford (41-11), the No. 11 national seed, will be the top seed in the region while WAC Tournament champion Sacramento State (39-23) claimed the No. 4 seed.
FRESNO - In game one of the doubleheader, the El Paso Chihuahuas (32-18) nipped the Fresno Grizzlies (26-24) 3-2 in extras. Both starters pitched into the sixth inning and each earned a no-decision. Fresno righty Austin Voth had a no-hitter into the sixth before allowing a single to Luis Urias. He finished the evening with three hits, one run (earned), one walk and six strikeouts to his line. On the other hand, El Paso lefty Dillon Overton dazzled for six scoreless frames, fanning five.
Heading into the seventh tied at zero, the Chihuahuas grabbed the advantage with a Peter Van Gansen RBI single. The lead didn’t last as Jacob Wilson roped a single, notching Jake Noll (double) in the bottom half, sending the contest into extras. Both clubs would trade runs in the eighth off of sacrifices. Andrew Stevenson’s bunt pushed Collin Cowgill across the plate. In the ninth, El Paso’s Jason Vosler ripped a single to right, the eventual game-winner. Sammy Solis (1-1) enjoyed the victory and Henderson Alvarez (0-3) was dealt the defeat. Gerardo Reyes recorded his second save after holding Fresno in the ninth.
LOS ANGELES - The James Pickens, Jr. Annual Charity Roping takes place at the Clovis Rodeo grounds on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Hosted by actor, producer, and philanthropist, James Pickens, Jr. (“Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Conners”), the event offers a Pro-Am and Open and attracts many of the best team ropers in the sport. The Pro-Am and Open roping events will stream live on the Wrangler Network.
Prizes, including trophy saddles by Coats Saddlery, will be awarded to the Average winners in the Open, along with trophy buckles from Montana Silversmiths. Amateur Pro-Am winners earn cash prizes and trophy buckles from Montana Silversmith.
FRESNO - The $3.4 million dollars in capital improvements pledged to Chukchansi Park by the Fresno Sports & Events LLC ownership group, now in their second season operating the Fresno Grizzlies, are taking shape in advance of Opening Day 2019 (Thursday, April 4, 7:05 p.m. first pitch).
The 18-year-old home of the Triple-A club in Downtown Fresno will have a distinctly more modern feel with a remodeled club level, a new left field social gathering space/bar, and a state-of-the art kids “splash park” in right field. Individual seating capacity in the stadium has been reduced from 12,500 to roughly 10,500; a necessary subtraction in order to make the overall ballpark experience markedly better for fans from end-to-end.
