Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Long Island
Softball Takes Night Cap From Long Island
3/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 18, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. - The defense shined for both teams when it came to turning double plays but the offensive star of the game was freshman shortstop Christina Clark who hit a pair of home runs in the night cap versus Long Island as the Fresno State softball team won 7-1.
Fresno State put together a five-run frame in the first before tacking on two more in the fourth as the Bulldogs pounded out 13 hits while committing two errors and turning two double plays.
Long Island (4-11) scored a run in the top of the third as the Blackbirds also turned two double plays while committing four errors.
Senior right-hander Leslie Poole had another solid outing as she tossed five-hit ball while giving up one run (earned) with no walks and five strikeouts to improve to 2-2 on the season.
Clark, who would end up hitting three home runs in the non-conference doubleheader versus Long Island tonight, connected for a solo home run in the first and a two-run home run in the fourth to collect long balls No. 7 and No. 8.
In addition to collecting a double, Clark racked up 10 total bases and set a new Fresno State single-game record in total bases (old record was 9 by Amanda Scott vs. San Jose State, March 25, 1998).
Still further, with eight home runs in 25 games played in her career, Clark now ranks No. 9 all-time at Fresno State in career home runs.
Two different Bulldogs have now recorded a multi-home run game this season (Jamie Southern vs. No. 13 DePaul and Clark vs. Long Island)-- a feat that had not happened since 1997 by Nina Lindenberg (4 multi home run games).
In the bottom of the first, the Bulldogs scored five runs on five hits while LIU committed an error. Clark led off with a solo home run to left field. Freshman third baseman Angelina Diaz beat out an infield single. Junior right fielder Lori Hoffman reached base safely on a fielder's choice, forcing out Diaz at second. Sophomore left fielder Jamie Southern then tripled to right field to score Hoffman. Junior first baseman Shasta Lewis then singled to center field to score Southern. As freshman designated player Elizabeth Pierce grounded out to the shortstop, Lewis advanced to second before scoring on a RBI double to right center by senior catcher Pam West. With two outs, junior centerfielder Mitzi Ing reached safely on an errant throw by the Blackbird second baseman which allowed West to score.
In the third with one out, Long Island picked up a RBI single by left fielder Rosette Rough, who lined a shot to center field to knock in catcher Alicia Ciccarello, who got on via a base hit to right field as the second batter in the inning.
In the fourth, sophomore shortstop Leticia Pacheco led the inning off with a single up the middle. Clark then took a 1-0 pitch over the left field fence for her eighth home run on the year.
In the doubleheader, Clark batted .714 (5-7) with three runs, double, three home runs, four RBI and 15 total bases for a 2.143 slugging percentage.
Fresno State (11-14) resumes play on Friday, March 21, when the Bulldogs host CS Northridge at 6:00 p.m.
