Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Southern Illinois (NCAA Regional)
No. 16 Bulldogs Drop 2-0 Decision to Southern Illinois
5/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 20, 2004
STANFORD, Calif. - The 16th-ranked Fresno State softball team opened NCAA Regional play in the loss column when the Bulldogs dropped a 2-0 decision to Southern Illinois at the Boyd & Jill Smith Family Stadium this morning.
Limited to four hits, Fresno State could not get anything going until the final two innings of play but SIU extinguished both threats as the Salukis opened tournament play victoriously.
SIU's junior right-handed pitcher Amy Harre recorded her 20th win of the year and 13th shutout of the season on a four-hitter while striking out six Bulldogs to improve to 20-6 overall on the year.
Fresno State's junior All-America right-hander Jamie Southern allowed two runs on six hits and walked three to fall to 29-6 overall.
Harre no-hit the Bulldogs through the first 5.2 innings of play before junior first baseman Shasta Lewis ripped a hard hit shot off the Salukis' third baseman's glove.
Lewis, sophomore All-America shortstop Christina Clark, senior center fielder Mitzi Ing and senior designated player Lori Hoffman each had a hit for the 'Dogs.
Southern Illinois struck first with a run in the second before tacking on its final run in the sixth.
In the first, third baseman Haley Viefhaus drew a walk. After being sacrificed to second, first baseman Amanda Clifton drew a walk before catcher Adie Viefhaus was hit by pitch to load the bases. Southern struck out catcher Samantha Carter before a bloop single to left field by designated player Lauren Roney gave SIU a 1-0 lead.
In the sixth, shortstop Jenny Doehring led off with a double to left center. Sacrificed to third base, Haley Viefhaus singled to right field to knock in Doehring.
In the bottom half of the frame with two outs, Lewis recorded an infield hit to give the 'Dogs their first hit of the game. Clark then roped a double to center field to put runners on second and third. Southern grounded out to the shortstop to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh with one out, Hoffman hit a single deep in the hole. With right fielder Kristy Villasenor coming in to pinch run for Hoffman, Villasenor when to second on a ground out and advanced to third on an infield hit by Ing. However, sophomore third baseman Veronica Green grounded out to end the threat.
Fresno State (47-19) falls into the loser's bracket and must advance the hard way and it starts tonight by meeting No. 14 Auburn game at 8:00 p.m.
Southern Illinois (43-15) will play Hofstra tomorrow at 12:30 p.m.
