Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Santa Clara
No. 15 Bulldogs Use Last Minute Heroics Over Santa Clara
3/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 5, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. -
The 15th-ranked Fresno State softball team used last minute heroics again versus Santa Clara in its 3-2 victory over the Broncos.
With one out in the seventh inning, junior All-America pitcher Jamie Southern hit her fifth double of the year and did so by knocking in two Bulldogs for the 3-2 win.
In the circle, she recorded her eighth win and her fourth one-hitter of the year. With her perfect game and no-hitter broken up in the sixth, Southern went on to tally one walk and eight strikeouts.
Fresno State got on the board first right off the bat. Sophomore All-America shortstop Christina Clark led the game off with a single to right field. Southern sacrificed her to second. Senior designated player Lori Hoffman followed with a single to center to put runners on first and third. Freshman catcher Nichole Willis then reached first safely on a fielder's choice as she picked up the RBI when Hoffman was forced out at second.
Santa Clara scored its two runs in the sixth. A lead off walk by first baseman Valerie Mock got things going. With the next Bronco reaching first safely on a tipped ball by junior second baseman Leticia Pacheco to put runners on first and third, pitcher Liz Courter then singled down the left field line. With two outs and Broncos at second and third, left fielder Jessica Clee reached safely on Pacheco's second error of the game that allowed the second Santa Clara runner to score.
Trailing 2-1 with one out in the seventh, senior right fielder Mitzi Ing ignited the rally once again when she singled to center field. Junior first baseman Shasta Lewis reached safely on a fielder's choice and Ing was safe at second on a Bronco error by second baseman Jenny Brown. Though Courter got Clark to ground out, the Bulldogs moved up a base to set the stage for Southern. Fouling off a few, Southern drove a 2-2 count to right center. As the ball skipped to the outfield fence, Ing and Lewis scored handidly to end the game.
Fresno State (12-4) continues non-conference action tomorrow at home with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader against No. 18 Pacific.
