May 25, 2004

FRESNO, Calif. -

April was a busy month for senior Fresno State softball center fielder Mitzi Ing. First, Ing knocked in her first collegiate home run against Hawai'i on April 9, leading her team to a 9-2 victory. The next milestone came when the Bulldogs' starting outfielder received an award at the Eighth Annual Kiwanis Torch of Excellence Dinner on April 26. Ing, a business administration student, was awarded the Bulldog Foundation's Outstanding Business Student Award for her achievements in the SID Craig School of Business.

The April highlights are just a climax to Ing's successful career at Fresno State. A three-time President's List (4.0) and seven-time Dean's List honoree, Ing was also an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award winner in 2003 - an honor that recognizes minorities for their athletic and academic contributions. She has twice been voted to the Academic All-District VIII team. Most recently, she garnered second team All-WAC honors for the 2004 season.

For Ing, playing collegiate softball has been the one constant in her string of successes in life.

"Softball has made me grow as a person and as a softball player since I've been here," said Ing. "Every year I'm getting better and I learn more about myself."

It wasn't too long ago that Ing arrived on the mainland from Aiea, Hawaii, four years ago. Hailing out of Iolani High School, Ing was one of a small number of native softball players making the trip and transition from the island.

"There are a lot of football athletes (in Hawaii), but softball players are just starting to come around," said Ing. "The transition itself was easy. It was just more of a shock. Fresno State just has a really good softball program. In Hawaii, softball isn't as developed or as popular. The caliber of play isn't like it is on the mainland."

Overcoming many days of softball practice, Ing hopes it will pay off real soon. Now after achieving the accomplishments of hitting her first collegiate home run and being awarded a highly recognized award, Ing is eyeing another accomplishment - a conference title and a shot a national crown.

Whatever the outcome of the season, Ing has several options to consider after graduation. She may go back to school for a master's degree in international business in either Los Angeles or back home at the University of Hawaii. She also has the rare option of teaching English in Japan; she is graduating with a minor in Japanese. Down the road she plans to move back to Hawaii and raise a family.

by Kenyonte Dyer & Sarah Jackson, Fresno State Athletics Media Relations