Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
UMass (Fiesta Bowl Tournament)
No. 23 Bulldogs Swing Past UMass in Season Opener
2/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 13, 2004
PHOENIX - No. 23 Fresno State opened the 2004 softball season in quick fashion after the Bulldogs posted an 8-0, 5 inning victory over Massachusetts at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament this afternoon.
The Bulldogs banged out eight runs on nine hits while collecting four doubles as the program improved to 18-9 all-time in season openers and 14-5 under head coach Margie Wright.
With every Bulldog tallying a hit but one, Fresno State put together a five-run third inning and tacked on three in the fourth and fifth inning combined for their first mercy run-rule win of the year.
Junior All-America pitcher Jamie Southern, who walked three and struck out six, held UMass to one-hit for her 41st career shutout. At the plate, she went 2-2 with a run, two doubles and three RBI.
Senior designated player Lori Hoffman (1-3, run, double) and freshman catcher Nichole Willis (1-2) each knocked in two. All-America shortstop Christina Clark (1-3, 2 runs) also picked up a double for the 'Dogs.
In the third, Fresno State batted around once. Junior first baseman Shasta Lewis led the inning off with a hit to center field before being sacrificed to second by junior center fielder Kristy Villasenor. After junior left fielder Porsha Finley reached safely on a single to left before advancing to second on a throw, Southern doubled to right center to score Lewis and Finley. Clark was walked before Hoffman followed with a two RBI double to right center as Southern and Clark scored. Willis walked and junior second baseman Leticia Pacheco was hit by pitch to load the bases. Sophomore third baseman Veronica Green notched a RBI infield single to score Hoffman for the Bulldogs' fifth run.
In the fourth with one out, Southern walked and sophomore Daisy Gaynor came in to pinch run for Southern. Clark then doubled to right field to put Bulldogs on second and third. Willis followed with a 2-run single to center field.
In the fifth, Pacheco led off with a single to right field before Green walked. With the next two Bulldogs being held hitless, Finley drew a walk to load the bases. Southern notched her third RBI after being walked as Pacheco scored.
