Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Northwestern (Kajikawa Classic)
No. 21 Fresno State's Upset Bid Falls Short
2/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 9, 2007
TEMPE, Ariz. - Despite a valiant effort, the 21st-ranked Bulldogs fell 4-3 in eight innings to No. 4 Northwestern, Friday afternoon in Tempe, Ariz. Sophomore pitcher Robin Mackin's two-out single in the top of the eighth drove in freshman outfielder Brooke Phipps from second and gave Fresno State a 3-2 lead. But Northwestern responded with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to seal the victory.
Prior to extra innings, the Bulldogs led on two other occasions during the game. Mackin put Fresno State up 1-0 after a solo homer to center off of Northwestern starter Lauren Delaney in the fourth.
Senior catcher Nichole Willis gave Fresno State a 2-1 lead on a deep solo homer of her own in the seventh. But the Wildcats answered again, eventually sending the game to extra innings.
Mackin and Willis both had two hits, a run scored and an RBI on the day, respectively.
Mackin bounced back from a tough outing in the first game of the day by shutting out Northwestern for four innings. She got a no-decision, allowing no runs on one hit, walking four and striking out four as well.
Sophomore Merryann Barr was hit with the loss in her second appearance of the tournament. She allowed four runs on seven hits and walking three. Delaney got the win for Northwestern.
The Bulldogs turned one double play and Willis threw out Northwestern's Tammy Williams attempting to steal.
The `Dogs fell to 0-2 after the loss, while Northwestern improved to 1-1. Fresno State is back in action at the Kajikawa Classic on Saturday at 11 a.m. against Northwestern State and at 1 p.m. versus New Mexico.
