Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Liberty
Oakes and Bulldogs Blank Liberty 2-0
2/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 7, 2009
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - Freshman Mackenzie Oakes pitched a stellar game in her collegiate debut in the circle as Oakes and the No. 12/14 Fresno State softball team shutout Liberty 2-0 Saturday evening at the Cathedral City Classic. The Bulldogs improve to 2-1 on the season.
This was the first-ever meeting between the Flames and the Bulldogs which began two hours after the original start time due to rain in the desert. The Bulldogs game vs. No. 13/16 Houston was cancelled due to the weather and will not be rescheduled.
Oakes started the game strong, retiring the Flame batters 1-2-3 in the top of the first inning. She would continue to pitch a complete game shutout and allow only two hits in seven innings while striking out three. Oakes is now 1-0 on the season in the circle.
"It felt really good," Oakes said. "I was a little nervous at first but it went well and the first one is out of the way."
The Bulldog defense was spectacular tonight, making two double plays, one in the top of the seventh with a runner on and the tying run at the plate.
"The defense played great," Oakes added. "They got me out of a bind a few times and the double plays were great."
Nicole Angene, Haley Perkins and Michelle Moses all made great plays in the infield at their respective positions in the game.
"Our defense played really well," said head coach Margie Wright. "Mackenzie pitched great for her first collegiate start. She got a lot of groundouts and our defense made some great plays, especially the double play in the last inning."
Offensively, the bottom of the Bulldog lineup came through for the `Dogs.
Junior Brooke Phipps led off the third with a stand up triple, her first hit of the season and would score off an RBI-single by Mallory Perkins. The Bulldogs would take a 1-0 after three.
"Brooke has been working hard to be able to come through in tough situations and tonight she stung that ball and Mallory stepped up and put it where she needed to," Wright said.
Andrea Ortega would double down the left field line in the top of the fourth and would score on a Ryane Petersen single to give the Bulldogs the 2-0 lead.
Senior Haley Perkins led the team with two hits in the game.
The Bulldogs will take on Cal State Northridge at 11 a.m. on Sunday in the Cathedral City Kick-Off. Live audio of the game can be found on www.gobulldogs.com, for free approximately 10 minutes before first pitch.
Click HERE to read the Fresno State softball "Bulldog Blog"
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State softball team concludes play in Cathedral City Kick-off on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. vs. Cal State Northridge. The `Dogs' home opener is Thursday, February 26 against Utah Valley. First pitch at Bulldog Diamond is scheduled for 6:00 pm. Season tickets, mini plans and single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
