The Fresno State softball team and head coach Margie Wright have annonced the opponents on the 2009 schedule.

The schedule is one of the toughest the Bulldogs have ever had and according to Wright, the schedule will raise the team’s Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).

The schedule begins in February with Cathedral City Kick-off Tournament hosted by Oregon State in Cathedral City, Calif. The Bulldogs will be playing Wisconsin, Southern Illinois and Fordham in the tournament.

The tournament also features Houston and James Madison, opponents the Bulldogs played in 2008.

Last season, Houston beat Fresno State twice at Bulldog Diamond and the Bulldogs will be looking to get some payback in 2009.

The Bulldogs start the first month of the season on the road and will have their home opener at Bulldog Diamond on March 5.

Fresno State will host the Bingham-Toyota Classic featuring BYU, Providence, Northern Illinois and Cal.

Cal beat the Bulldogs in the final game of the Regional at Bulldog Diamond to advance in the NCAA Tournament and ended Fresno State’s run in 2008.

WAC play will begin for the Bulldogs on March 20 when the Bulldogs host the San Jose State Spartans at Bulldog Diamond and ends on May 2 at Utah State.

The Bulldogs will host the WAC Tournament in 2009, after the tournament was held in Hawaii last season.

The tournament will run from May 5-9.