Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Hawaii
No. 13 Bulldogs Notch 7-0 Win Over Hawai'i
4/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 9, 2004
HONOLULU - The 13th-ranked Fresno State softball team opened up a four-game series of Western Athletic Conference action on the island in effective fashion when the Bulldogs posted a 7-0 victory over Hawai'i at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium this evening.
Three Bulldogs hit a home run while junior All-America pitcher Jamie Southern contained the Rainbow Wahine on a three-hit, seven strikeout performance.
Southern, who improved to 23-5 overall, notched her 17th shutout of the season as grabbed sole possession of fifth place all-time on the school's career shutout list. She entered the weekend with 56 career shutouts and shared the spot with former Bulldog All-American Carie Dever (56, 1987-90).
Junior first baseman Shasta Lewis and freshman catcher Nichole Willis each hit a home run as they both posted a team-best three RBI. Sophomore All-America shortstop Christina Clark got in the act as well by hitting her 14th home run of the season.
With five Bulldogs collecting a multiple-hit game, Fresno State scored seven runs on 13 hits and had two errors.
Hawai'i utilized the services of two pitchers. Starter Melissa Coogan took the loss and fell to 8-11 overall after allowing seven runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work. Paula Blanning came in and pitched the final 3.2 innings and allowed three hits while walking one and striking out two.
Fresno State scored a run in the first and two in the third before posting a four-run fourth.
In the first, Clark and Southern led off with singles before Willis roped a single to center field to score Clark.
In the third with one out, Southern picked up a hit before Willis drilled a two-run shot to dead center for a 3-0 lead.
In the fourth with one out, Lewis hit a three-run shot against the wind over the center field wall for a 6-0 lead. Clark came up to the plate and followed with a solo shot to left field.
Hawai'i looked to score in the first and third inning. After the leadoff batter grounded out to start off the bottom of the first inning, the next two Rainbow Wahine batters picked up a hit before Southern struck out the final two hitters. In the third with two outs, catcher Denise Dahlberg, who had a hit in the first, picked up a double before being caught in a run down in an attempt to steal home.
Collecting multiple-hit games for the Bulldogs were Clark (2-4, 2 runs, home run, RBI), Southern (3-4, run), Willis (2-4, run, home run, 3 RBI), junior second baseman Leticia Pacheco (2-4) and freshman left fielder Rachael Donaldson (2-3, run).
