Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Utah (Judi Garman Classic)
Big Sixth Inning Lifts `Dogs Over Utah
3/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 20, 2008
FULLERTON, Calif. - Fresno State improved to 2-0 in the Judi Garman Classic and 27-5 overall with a 9-6 win over Utah Thursday night in Fullerton, Calif. The No. 14 Bulldogs continue play in the Fullerton tournament on Friday.
Haley Perkins led off the game for the Bulldogs with a single to right field. Haley Gilleland followed with a bunt single and both runners advanced on a wild pitch with no outs.
Caitlin Stiglich would hit a blooper to left field to send Gilleland to third and score Perkins for the 1-0 Bulldog lead.
Gilleland would score on a passed ball and after the top of the first Fresno State would have a 2-0 lead.
Fresno State starting pitcher Ashley Cox would walk the Utah lead off batter Diana Phillips and Kelly Matthews would hit a bloop single to left field to put runners on with no outs. They would advance on a sacrifice bunt.
Angie Boardman would tie the game in the bottom of the first with a bases clearing double to center field.
Freshman Ryane Petersen would enter the game with one out to replace Cox on the mound.
Kara Foster would then hit a two run home run to center field to give Utah the 4-2 lead.
Lindsay Milchovich, who entered to play first base in the first inning, hit her first home run of the season, a solo shot to center field to cut the Utah lead to 4-3 in the second.
Perkins would walk and Gilleland followed with a bunt single. They would score off the second double of the day by Stiglich to re-take the lead, 5-4.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth and after Devina Quintero reached on an error, Morgan Melloh entered in relief for the Bulldogs. Melloh would strike out both batters she faced on three straight pitches.
Melloh would strike out four batters in a row on 12 pitches over two innings.
Kristie Keller would score for Utah to tie the game at five after a Boardman single to right field.
A Perkins walk would lead off the top of the sixth for the Bulldogs. A Gilleland sacrifice bunt would send Perkins to second.
Stiglich would single and advance to second on an error by Utah which scored Perkins from third to give the `Dogs the lead back at 6-5.
A single to left field by Ashley White brought Stiglich in from third for a 7-5 Bulldog lead.
Andrea Ortega would hit her first home run of the year, a two-run shot to left field for a 9-5 lead after five and a half.
Quintero hit a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the sixth for Utah to cut the lead to 9-6.
Melloh would pick up the win, her second of the day and improve to 17-3 on the season.
The Bulldogs play Illinois at 11:00 a.m. Friday morning before taking on Cal State Fullerton at 3:30 p.m. The Fullerton game can be heard live on 790 ESPN Radio, the Deuce with Christian Lukens calling the action.
The Fighting Illini of Illnois are 13-13 after going 2-3 last weekend at the Texas A&M Classic and falling to New Mexico and Arizona State on day two of the Judi Garman Classic. . Fresno State and Illinois have only met once, back in 2004, with the Bullldogs earning the 1-0 win.
The host of this weekend's tournament, Cal State Fullerton is 15-13-1 on the year. They defeated New Mexico 4-3 in their first game of the tournament. The Titans were ranked in the top 25 the first three weeks of the season. Fresno State leads the overall series 37-31 as the two split the last series in 2006.
All games can be viewed live on gametracker at www.gobulldogs.com. For complete tournament information visit: http://fullertontitans.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/2008-judi-garman-classic.html.
"Join the State- Fresno State!" - For tickets log on to www.gobulldogs.com or call (559) 278-DOGS.
