Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
San Jose State
No. 25 `Dogs Take Down Spartans in WAC Opener
3/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 20, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - With 10 hits in the game, the No. 25 Fresno State softball team tied its season-high and downed the San Jose State Spartans 7-1 in the Western Athletic Conference opener at Bulldog Diamond on Friday night. Fresno State improves to 15-12 on the year and 1-0 in WAC play.
Seven of the nine Bulldog starters recorded a hit led by senior second baseman Haley Perkins who was a perfect three-for-three with three runs, one RBI and one walk.
"I'm very happy with the improvement of our hitting game," said head coach Margie Wright. "We've been practicing and tonight it really showed."
Sophomore Morgan Melloh improved to 11-9 in the circle and 1-0 in WAC play as she pitched the complete game, allowing one run on three hits and striking out 12 Spartan batters.
Fresno State struck early with a run in the first after back-to-back singles by Perkins and Haley Gilleland. Michelle Moses then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners and Perkins would score on a wild pitch by Spartan starter Deanna Mauer.
"That's my job as the leadoff hitter to get on base," Perkins said. "I don't care if it's a hit, a walk or if I get hit by a pitch, just as long as I get on base."
Mauer got the loss and is now 2-6 on the year and 0-1 in the WAC. She allowed five earned runs off of 10 hits and struck out three Bulldog batters.
After Perkins got her second hit of the game in the third, Moses hit her first career double to left field bringing in Perkins for the 2-0 lead.
Three more runs came in the fourth for the `Dogs beginning with a walk to Lisamarie Coronado. Jody Badorine entered to pinch run and a single by Nicole Angene put runners on first and second.
A Brooke Phipps sacrifice bunt advanced the runners and Badorine scored on a ground out by Mallory Perkins.
After a Haley Perkins walk, a Gilleland single brought in one more, followed by a SJSU error that sent Caitlin Stiglich to third and Haley Perkins home.
San Jose State's only run came in the top of the sixth as Julianne Aiello eventually scored after her single on a triple by Sarah Taylor.
Back-to-back hits by Brooke Phipps and Mallory Perkins lead off a sixth inning where the `Dogs got the run back and added one more for the final score.
The third single of the game for Haley Perkins ties her for ninth on the career hit list with 245 hits. Phipps scored on that single and after a single to right field by Stiglich, Mallory Perkins scored on a wild pitch.
Melloh has 187 strikeouts on the season and 641 in her career, just three shy of No. 5 on the Bulldog career strikeout list.
The three-game conference opening series continues on Saturday with the Spartans who fell to 11-19 overall and 0-1 in WAC play. Saturday is Local Business Night and anyone that brings their business card to the gates will get in for $2.00.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs' host UC Davis in doubleheader action Tuesday night at 6 pm. All tickets are buy-one-get-one FREE. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
