Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Illinois (Judi Garman Classic)
Bulldogs Remain Perfect In Fullerton
3/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 21, 2008
FULLERTON, Calif. - With a 9-1 victory in six innings over Illinois on day two of the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif., the Fresno State softball team remained perfect at 3-0 in the tournament while winning its sixth straight game. At 28-5 on the season, the No. 14 Bulldogs are off to the best start in 11 years.
It was only the second meeting between the Fighting Illini and Fresno State, with the Bulldogs also winning the only other meeting, 3-0, in 2004.
Scoreless after three innings of play, Aja Scheuber would hit a lead off single to left field in the fourth inning followed by a double by Ashley White down the right field line.
Mallory Perkins would pinch run for White at second and her and Scheuber would score on a single down the right field line by Andrea Ortega for a 2-0 Bulldog lead after three and a half.
Lana Armstrong hit a two out solo home run in the bottom of the fourth that bounced off the top of the fence in left field to cut the Bulldog lead to just one, 2-1.
With two outs and a runner on first, Morgan Melloh entered the game in relief for Fresno State starter Nicole Angene.
Haley Perkins would lead off the top of the fifth with an infield single. Gilleland would then hit a drive over the glove of the Illini second baseman.
Caitlin Stiglich would single to left field as the Bulldogs would get the bases loaded with no outs.
Scheuber would hit a two run single to left field for a 4-1 lead. Illinois would replace starting pitcher Claire DeVreese with Ashley Wright with runners on first and third and no outs in the top of the fifth.
Ortega would earn her second RBI of the game with a single to center. Lindsay Milchovich would clear the bases with a double to right center and advance to third on the play.
After four and a half innings, Fresno State would take the 7-1 lead. Perkins led off the sixth with a walk and Gilleland hit a single to left field and advanced to second on the throw with no outs.
Back-to-back singles by Stiglich and Scheuber scored two more, Perkins and Gilleland from third for a 9-1 lead.
Vicky Brown would enter the mound for Illinois with no outs in the top of the sixth to retire the side.
Fresno State would earn the victory in six innings.
Angene went three and two-thirds innings and gave up one run on three hits. Melloh earned the win, her 18th of the year and her third of the Judi Garman Classic as she went two and a third innings and allowed no runs and no hits.
Scheuber led the Bulldogs with three hits, three RBI's and two runs. Gilleland also pinched in three hits and Ortega and Michovich, who each hit their first home runs of the season last night against Utah had two RBI's a piece.
The Bulldogs will take on Cal State Fullerton at 3:30 p.m. on the Anderson Family Field. The game can be heard live on 790 ESPN Radio, the Deuce with Christian Lukens calling the action.
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.
