Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Northridge
Stiglich and Moses Lead `Dogs to 3-0 Victory
2/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 8, 2009
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - Michelle Moses took a three-two pitch and hammered it over the right field wall for a two-run shot in the top of the eighth inning vs. Cal State Northridge on Sunday at the Cathedral City Kick-Off. In the next at bat, Caitlin Stiglich would hit a solo shot to left field and the Bulldogs defeated the Matadors 3-0.
No. 12/14 Fresno State improves to 3-1 on the season with the win while Morgan Melloh improves to 2-0 in the circle. Melloh struck out 10 and gave up just one hit in the first inning. It was Melloh's second complete game shutout in three days.
After seven innings and the game tied, tournament rules state that the game moves to international tie breaker rules. That means that each teams at the top of the inning after the seventh will put the last out of the last inning on second base with no outs. When Moses hit her first collegiate home run, Haley Perkins was on second due to these rules so the run is counted as unearned.
"I was thinking that we had to score and end the game," Moses said of her at bat. "The pitch was right there. I fouled off a lot and I knew she was bound to make a mistake and it was perfect. I knew it was gone as soon as I hit it. When Caitlin hit her home run right after mine I was so excited. I knew we were going to win the game."
The "she" Moses was referring to was the starting pitcher for CSUN, Claire Rietmann. Rietmann pitched 7.2 innings and struck out 11 Bulldogs before Moses and Stiglich got to her in the eighth.
Fresno State did get to her in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings though, leaving runners on base in scoring position in each inning. In the sixth, Moses walked and Jody Badorine entered to pinch run for her after a Stiglich single to center field. A Ryane Petersen single to center saw Badorine try to come home but the throw from the Matador centerfielder got her out at the plate.
Haley Perkins reached base on all three of her at bats and had one hit in the game. Stiglich led the team with two hits.
The Bulldogs travel to Stockton, Calif., to take on the Tigers of Pacific at Saturday, Feb. 14 in a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.
Click HERE to read the Fresno State softball "Bulldog Blog."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs travel north to Stockton to battle Pacific on Saturday, February 14. The doubleheader starts at noon. 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.
