Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Pacific
`Dogs Earn Sweep on Opening Day
2/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 9, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - In the first home opener since 1997, the Bulldogs earned their first opening day win in three years with a sweep of the University of the Pacific Saturday afternoon at Bulldog Diamond. The Bulldogs came out swinging in game one as they had 12 hits and used stellar defense to win game two. Fresno State is now 2-0 on the season while Pacific starts at 0-2.
Game 1
Freshman Morgan Melloh had 13 strikeouts and after Pacific took an early 1-0 lead, the Bulldog bats started to heat up in the third inning and everything seemed to click in the home opener of the 2008 season.
The Bulldogs first run of the season couldn't have been more exciting as senior Jenna Cervantez hit a home run to right center to tie the game.
Junior power hitter Haley Perkins singled to left field in the fourth and advanced on a fielder's choice. She scored off a single by freshman catcher Caitlin Stiglich. Stiglich ended the game with three hits, the most on the team in game one.
With three runs in the sixth, the Bulldogs sealed the deal when Lisamarie Coronado reached on an error by the Tigers' pitcher, Chelsea Engle. Perkins scored on the play and a Melloh double to left field scored Michelle Palazuelos and Coronado to make it 5-1.
Melloh then struck-out the side in the top of the seventh to go 1-0 in her college career. Engle recorded the loss for Pacific.
"Morgan was very successful today," said Stiglich. "I tried to just let her know I was there and in the same situation as she was."
Behind Stiglich, Perkins, Melloh and Aja Scheuber each had two hits and Perkins scored two of the five runs.
"We expected our young women to do exactly what they did for us today," said Cervantez. "Caitlin had a third of our hits and without her we wouldn't have played so well today."
Game 2
Pacific took the early lead once again when Alyce Jorgensen homered to left field off of the Bulldogs starting pitcher, freshman Nicole Angene in the top of the fifth. Angene pitched 5 and 2/3 innings.
"I think for both Morgan and Nicole they were tested more than they ever were in high school and they responded well," said head coach Margie Wright.
The Bulldogs responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs when Brooke Phipps reached base on a fielders choice, stole second, then scored off a triple by Palazuelos. Palazuelos then scored after an error by Pacific's starting pitcher, Heidi Helberg.
Lindsay Milchovich reached on another fielder's choice in the sixth and scored off of a bad throw in the infield.
Up 3-1 in the top of the seventh, the Tigers made a comeback. With two outs, pinch-hitter Mandy Hickman singled and advanced to second on the throw after a Briana Santos walk. Santos advanced to third and Lauren Sandelin came in to pinch-run for Hickman. Casey Goldsand singled to left field which scored Santos and Sandelin rounded third to try to tie the game but was thrown out at the plate to end the game.
Melloh took over the top of the fifth after the home run and earned her second win on the day. Her three strikeouts in game two gave her 16 total for the day. Helberg was credited with the loss.
Coronado led the `Dogs with two of the four hits in game two and Palazuelos picked up the only RBI of the game.
"They have all worked really hard and you saw a lot of players tonight and you will see some different ones next week," added Wright. "That is the luxury of having so many newcomers."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State softball team hits the road for the first time to play in the Campbell Cartier Classic at San Diego State University February 15 and 16. Follow all the action at www.gobulldogs.com. The next home game for the Bulldogs is a doubleheader Monday, February 25 at 6 p.m. against Eastern Michigan. February 25 is Monday Madness and general admission tickets are just $1 on game day.
