Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Texas State (NFCA Leadoff Classic)
No. 25/19 Softball Defeats Texas State
2/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 25, 2005
COLUMBUS, Ga. - The No. 25/19 Fresno State softball team opened the first day of the 10th NFCA Leadoff Classic undefeated after the Bulldogs pinned an 8-1 loss on Texas State in the 'Dogs night cap.
Freshman left hander Amanda Nesbitt recorded her first collegiate win after throwing a four-hitter and striking out four in her first college start.
While the 'Dogs had a hit from everyone in the lineup but two, senior All-American Jamie Southern and junior All-American Christina Clark hit home runs again while sophomore catcher Nichole Willis, senior third baseman Leticia Pacheco and sophomore left fielder Rachael Donaldson each posted a RBI.
Scoring eight runs on 11 hits, Fresno State opened the game with a four-run first inning performance before adding two in the fourth and fifth innings.
Leading off the first, Clark reached safely on an error by the Bobcat shortstop. Southern then hit her second home run in as many games with a shot to left center to put the Bulldogs up 2-0. Willis lined out to short before Nesbitt singled up the middle. Pacheco then laid down a perfect bunt in front of home plate to give the 'Dogs runners on first and second. With one out, Donaldson drove a shot to deep right center to knock in Nesbitt. On the same play, Pacheco was running hard on the throw back to the infield, stopped at third, then scored when Donaldson was tempting to advance to second.
Texas State scored its lone run in the third. Shortstop Leslie Sharp led the inning off with a base hit up the middle that just eluded Nesbitt and Clark. Sharp advanced to second on a pass ball. While Nesbitt got the next Bobcat out, Texas State got a full count RBI single to right center from right fielder Amy Krueger.
In the fourth, senior centerfielder Kristy Villasenor led the inning off with a bunt past the pitcher. Clark lined out to the Bobcat left fielder before Southern reached safely on a fielder's choice, forcing out Villasenor at second. With two outs and a runner at first, Willis doubled to left center to plate Southern. With Nesbitt at bat, Willis advanced to third on a pass ball before the rookie drew a four pitch walk. Pacheco then came through with a RBI single through the left side to score Willis and give Fresno State a 6-1 advantage.
In the fifth, freshman second baseman Jenna Cervantez drew a leadoff walk. Freshman designated player Twyla Coffman sacrificed Cervantez to second. While Cervantez advanced to third on a wild pitch with Clark at the plate, Cervantez came home on a wild pitch before Clark launched her third home of the year to left center.
Fresno State (3-1) continues pool play tomorrow morning with a 10:00 a.m. (EST) match up against No. 10 LSU, which defeated Texas State, 3-2 in 8 innings before losing 9-0 to Seton Hall in pool play today.
