Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Louisiana Tech
No. 14 Bulldogs Post 2-0 Win Over Louisiana Tech
5/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 6, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - The 14th-ranked Fresno State softball team wrapped up Western Athletic Conference play against Louisiana Tech with a 2-0 victory over the Lady Techsters to sweep the series in 2004.
The Bulldogs scored two runs on five hits while Louisiana Tech compiled eight hits and had an error.
Sophomore right-hander Laura Ferreira picked up her 12th win of the year and sixth shutout after scattering eight hits while walking one and striking out six.
Louisiana Tech starter Kristin Blodgette took the loss and fell to 3-6 on the season after allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking two and striking out two in 4.0 innings. Lindsey Meadows pitched the final two frames and allowed two hits and struck out two.
Junior designated player Jamie Southern was perfect at the plate after going 3-3 with a run and collecting her 14th double of the year. Senior right fielder Lori Hoffman recorded the lone RBI for the Bulldogs.
Fresno State scored a run in the first and third inning and made it stand up.
In the first inning with one out, Southern beat out an infield single. Southern then advance to second on a wild pitch before freshman catcher Nichole Willis grounded out. Hoffman then reached safely on a Louisiana Tech fielding error, which allowed Southern to score.
In the third, sophomore All-America shortstop Christina Clark led the inning off with a double to right center. Southern singled to the shortstop as Clark went to third. With runners on the corners, Willis struck out before Hoffman collected a RBI on a fielder's choice as Clark scored and Southern was forced out at second.
In the fourth, Fresno State used a stellar defensive effort from senior center fielder Mitzi Ing and Willis. With one out and runners on first and second, Louisiana Tech tested the arm of Ing. The Lady Techesters came up empty as Ing one-hopped a throw off the bat by first baseman Jennifer LaRussa and threw home as third baseman Bridget Broadnax, who reached on a fielder's choice, tried in vain to get around a blocked home plate by Willis.
A double play in the fifth ended Louisiana Tech's threat after the Lady Techsters had runners on first and second with no outs. However, the Bulldogs were just a mere half step away from turning a triple play as Ferreira got Amber Miles to hit a line drive back to her before immediately throwing the ball to first to double up Blodgette before going to second and just missing pinch runner Leah Beasley.
In the doubleheader against the Lady Techsters, Southern led the way after batting .667(4-6) with a run and a double. Clark and junior first baseman Shasta Lewis each hit .400 as Clark had three RBI and six total bases for a 1.200 slugging percentage and Lewis posted a RBI as well.
Fresno State (46-15, 19-1 WAC) concludes its 2004 home schedule on Sat., May 8 when the Bulldogs host Tulsa (41-17, 12-5) at 1:00 p.m. Tulsa is coming off a WAC road split at Nevada this afternoon after dropping game one 4-0 before bouncing back for a 6-3 win in the night cap.
The first game of the conference twin bill between the Bulldogs and the Golden Hurricane will be shown live on CSTV (DirecTV, ch. 610). The game, which will be Fresno State's 11th national television appearance, will be re-aired on Sun., May 9, 1:00 a.m. (PDT).
