Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
*New Mexico State
No. 24 Softball Sweeps WAC Series Versus New Mexico State
4/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 14, 2007
Las Cruces, N.M. - The Fresno State softball team traveled to Las Cruces and came home with a three-game series sweep, including a 4-3 win in the first game of the doubleheader Saturday and a 7-1 victory in the second game against New Mexico State at the Softball Complex.
The Bulldogs never trailed in the series and hit nine home runs in three games to improve to 35-14 on the year and 8-1 in WAC play. Fresno State also improved to 10-2 on the road. New Mexico State fell to 22-23 overall and 4-8 in WAC play.
Fresno State got a solid performance from Merryann Barr on the mound in the second game, holding the Aggies to just one run on two hits, picking up the win.
Offensively, Haley Perkins and Mallory Perkins each went 2 for 3, and Jenna Cervantez and Kristin Sylvester each went 2 for 4 in the second game.
Fresno State broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning when Kristin Sylvester hit a solo home run over the centerfield fence. Sylvester's home run was also the first hit of the game for the Bulldogs.
After New Mexico State answered with one run in the bottom of the fourth, Fresno State regained the lead with two runs in the fifth inning. Mallory Perkins led off the rally with a single to left, followed by an infield bunt single by Haley Perkins. Jenna Cervantez followed with a single to left, scoring both runners after the ball went in between the leftfielder's legs, giving the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead.
Fresno State added some insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning when Haley Perkins and Jenna Cervantez hit back-to-back home runs. Perkins hit a two-run home run after Mallory Perkins reached on her second hit of the game. Cervantez followed with a solo shot over the left field fence, giving the Bulldogs a 6-1 lead.
In the opening game, the Bulldogs scored three runs in the top of the second inning, giving them a cushion as they held on to a 4-3 victory.
Offensively, Jenna Cervantez went 3 for 4 at the top of the lineup, but the bottom lineup combination of Shannon Garvin and Mallory Perkins, each went 2 for 3. Garvin added an RBI and scored a run, while Perkins had a double and single. Ashley White added an RBI and Cervantez drove in one run as well.
In the circle, Robin Mackin earned the victory, pitching seven innings, allowing two earned runs, while striking out six batters. As a team the Bulldogs combined for 10 hits.
New Mexico State added one run in the third inning to cut into the Bulldogs' lead. Fresno State scored one more insurance run in the sixth inning and it paid off. The Aggies rallied for one run in the sixth and one in the seventh before Mackin finished off the game, getting the final batter to ground out.
Fresno State travels to Honolulu to face Hawaii in an important three-game WAC series beginning Friday, April 20 at 6 p.m. (HST) The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday, April 21 beginning at 1 p.m. (HST)
