FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Another Bulldog softball season gets underway Friday at Margie Wright Diamond.

Fresno State welcomes in a new head coach, former Cal State Northridge coach Charlotte Morgan, and a new mantra: “Let’s Eat.”

The Bulldogs’ first chance to chow down will be a double-header, against Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) at 3 p.m. and Idaho State at 5 p.m.

Players are eager to learn from Morgan, once a 3-time All-American player at the University of Alabama and former No. 1 overall draft pick.

“I just think feeding off her presence keeps us in the moment, keeps us playing good ball,” said senior pitcher Lauryn Carranco.

The Bulldogs’ new coach knows what it takes to be great. She knows the path there is long – “We’re not going to cut corners” – especially for her team.

Fresno State must replace the 2025 Mountain West Pitcher of the Year, Serayah Neiss, but outfielder Alyssa Rebolledo is back, along with four more main starters – Alyssa Ramirez, Kealani Nitta, Natalie Elias and Emma Martinez.

That’s every current Bulldog who played in at least half the team’s games last season, which ended in the Mountain West Championship title game.

“We have a lot of change,” said Morgan. “We don’t have many returners or starters. My style of play is very different, very high-level. We’re going to have a lot of growing pains.”

To ease those pains. Morgan brought over her ace pitcher from her previous program, Carranco. The 3-time All-Big West selection returns to the Valley after winning a Section championship at Clovis High School four years ago.

“I was just ready to come home,” Carranco said. “I miss my family. I think it was no better way to end my college career, just in front of my family at Fresno State.”

Buchanan HS grad Christal Lopez is also on the Bulldogs’ pitching staff after transferring out of Cal State Bakersfield.

The softball season is four days away, and Morgan is staying late after practice, giving extra coaching, and making sure her ‘Dogs eat.

“I was a little worried about culture, but we’ve come together so nicely as a team,” said Elias. “We’ve really bonded, and I think we’re going to carry that through the season.”