Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Washington<BR>(NFCA Leadoff Classic)
No. 13 Softball Upends No. 6 Washington
2/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 22, 2002
COLUMBUS, Ga. - Fresno State came out swinging and Bulldog pitching kept the opponent scratching its head.
Ranked 13th in the latest USA Today/NFCA Coaches Top 25 poll, Fresno State opened the Seventh Annual NFCA Leadoff Classic play with a 2-0 victory over sixth-ranked Washington.
The Bulldogs, who totaled two runs on nine hits, improved to 7-3 on the season as every starter collected at least one hit except for one -- who went on to record a sacrifice fly.
Washington, which lost its tourney opener, 4-3, to Penn State right before meeting Fresno State, had three hits and four errors as it fell to 14-5 on the year.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Jamie Southern picked up the win as she improved to 7-0 and notched her sixth shutout victory while striking out 13 Huskies. At the plate, Southern went 2-3.
The Bulldogs scored both of their runs in the top of the sixth inning off Husky pitcher Ashley Boek.
Sophomore second baseman Pam Perez led things off with a single to left field before freshman shortstop Leticia Pacheco reached base on hit by pitch. With runners on first and second, sophomore catcher Pam West roped a shot to center field and advanced to second on a Husky throw as Perez crossed home plate. With Pacheco reaching third on a Husky error, senior center fielder Tiffany Whipple hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Pacheco.
"We came out swinging and Jamie pitched a very solid game," head coach Margie Wright said. "The bottom half of the line up was everywhere offensively and defensively. Julie (Selbicky) had a strike to home plate to get the Washington runner out and Pam (West) was a rock while delivering a key hit."
Fresno State will meet Boston University tonight at 5:00 p.m. (EST).
