Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
New Mexico State
Home Run Galore
3/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 28, 2009
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The hot hitting from game two continued into the final game of the three-game Western Athletic Conference series at New Mexico State on Saturday afternoon when it was needed most, as the No. 23 Fresno State softball team hit four home runs in the game, including three in the top of the eighth for the 7-3 eight-inning victory.
Fresno State won the deciding game in the series as they improved to 21-13 (5-1 WAC).
Haley Perkins began the game for the `Dogs in the top of the first with a leadoff walk against Aggie starter Kim Watson. Perkins then stole her fifth base of the year and her 27th of her career to rank her eighth all-time in Fresno State history.
Catcher Caitlin Stiglich drove in Perkins from third with a sacrifice to center field as the `Dogs took the 1-0 lead after one.
The `Dogs had nine hits vs. Watson on the afternoon after Watson earned the victory over Fresno State in game one on Friday.
Perkins scored her second run of the game in the third. After her single to center, Perkins scored on a single by Stiglich to right field.
Lisamarie Coronado added to the Bulldog lead in the top of the seventh with a first-pitch solo home run over the left center wall, her first home run of the season.
"I just went up there today and focused on seeing the ball and hitting it," Coronado said. "I saw a lot of different pitches and that one was outside and I got a hold of it."
Bulldog start Morgan Melloh picked up her 15th victory on the year and fifth in the WAC. She allowed three runs on three hits, all in the bottom of the seventh. New Mexico State's runs game off of a three-run home run by Angie Ortega to right center field.
Melloh had six strikeouts on the day.
The Bulldogs however made a huge comeback in the eighth and with one out, Stiglich singled, her second hit of the game. Michelle Moses then gave the `Dogs the lead for good with a two-run home run to center field, her fourth of the year.
Then with two outs, back-to-back solo home runs were hit by Nicole Angene and Coronado for a 7-3 lead. It was the first time in Coronado's career she hit two home runs in the same game. She was a perfect 4-for-4 on the afternoon.
"Michelle and Nicole both hit home runs before me so we just had the momentum," Coronado added.
The `Dogs improve to 5-1 in extra innings while NMSU is now 0-2 playing after seven.
"It was a huge confidence boost for us to come back in the eighth today," Moses said. "We knew we could do it and we came here and did what we were supposed to do."
Next up for Fresno State is the single game vs. Pacific in Stockton on Tuesday, March 31 at 2 p.m.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs' continue WAC play against Hawai'i. The `Dogs and Rainbow Wahine play Friday night at 6 pm and close out the series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon starting at 1 pm. Friday night is Cancer Awareness Night and Saturday is Youth Softball Day. All youth softball teams are invited to take the field for the National Anthem. Special ticket packages for all youth softball teams can be purchased by calling the group sales coordinator at 244-5621. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
