Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Purdue
Fresno State Sweeps Purdue, Wins Ninth Straight
3/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 13, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - Senior catcher Nichole Willis hit a clutch one-out double to right-center field, driving in the tying and go-ahead runs during Fresno State's 3-2 victory over Purdue in the second game of a doubleheader, Tuesday night at Bulldog Diamond.
The `Dogs trailed 2-1 after a Fresno State error allowed Purdue to take the lead in the top of the sixth. But Willis and the `Dogs responded in the bottom half of the frame to clinch Fresno State's ninth straight win and complete a perfect 9-0 home stand.
Fresno State won its 20th game of the year and has won 14 of its last 16.
Sophomore Merryann Barr hit a sacrifice fly to center, driving home junior Jenna Cervantez for the game's first run in the fourth.
Purdue's Katie Mitchell tied the game with a solo homer in the top of the fifth before the Boilermakers took the lead one inning later in the sixth.
Mackin won her seventh straight in the circle, allowing two runs - one earned - on three hits while striking out 10.
Fresno State 4, Purdue 1: In the first game, the `Dogs downed the Boilermakers 4-1 behind a solid performance from Barr. Barr went five and a third innings allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four for her sixth win of the year.
With the score tied in the bottom of the fifth, the `Dogs got things started with three straight singles from Willis, Barr and junior Kristin Sylvester. Mackin then singled to right driving home Kori Sherman who entered the game to pinch run for Willis. Pinch-runner Mallory Perkins also scored on the play when Purdue's right fielder struggled to field the play. One batter later, Ashley White drove home Sylvester on a sacrifice fly to left.
The Bulldogs now take their momentum to the 2007 Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif., beginning on Thursday at 4 p.m. against Louisiana-Lafayette.
