Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Pacific
Softball Goes Extra Innings in Win Over Pacific
4/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 8, 2003
STOCKTON, Calif. - Extra innings is what it took as the Fresno State softball team recorded a 1-0, 9-inning victory at Pacific in game one of the non-conference twin bill.
The Bulldogs took advantage of a one out throwing error by UOP third baseman Kristen Allen. With a force at home plate, Allen's throw sailed over the head of the Tiger catcher Ashlie D'Errico, which allowed junior first baseman Shasta Lewis to score the winning run in the top of the ninth with one out.
With scoreless ball through eight full innings of play, the table was set when freshman designated player Elizabeth Pierce led the ninth inning off with a walk. Lewis reached safely on a fielder's choice but forced freshman pinch runner Jamie Hamby, who was running for Pierce, out at second. Senior catcher Pam West and junior center fielder Mitzi Ing each walked to load the bases. Sophomore second baseman Leticia Pacheco hit a hard shot down the third base line and Allen, who picked up the ball with no problem, threw high to home as Lewis scored.
Sophomore All-America pitcher Jamie Southern pitched four-hit ball as she walked four and struck out 11 to improve to 14-9 overall. Tallying her 11th ten-strikeout game on the year, she also picked up her ninth shutout victory.
Southern, who pitched hitless ball through the first five innings of play, extended her streak to 52.1 innings without an earned run.
Fresno State, which scored a run on three hits and had two errors, stranded 10 base runners while Pacific, which had four hits and three errors, left nine.
Tiger pitcher Natalie King, a transfer from Texas, took the loss as she gave up three hits, one run (unearned) and six walks while striking out five. King fell to 10-6 overall.
Freshman shortstop Christina Clark, junior right fielder Lori Hoffman and West each had a hit for the Bulldogs.
The extra inning game was the sixth of the season for both Fresno State and Pacific. The win improved the 'Dogs record to 2-4 in extra frames.
