Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Louisiana Tech
`Dogs Take Series from La. Tech
4/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 11, 2009
RUSTON, La. - With its second shutout in a row over the Lady Techsters in Ruston, La., in as many days, Fresno State took the Western Athletic Conference series with a 3-0 win in game one of the doubleheader Saturday afternoon. Louisiana Tech pulled out a 1-0, 10-inning victory in game two to split the days' games. Fresno State is 26-17 overall and 8-4 in the WAC.
Game One: No. 25 Fresno State 3 - La Tech. 0
Haley Perkins continued her hot hitting this week as she got two more in game one, including a single to leadoff the game in the first.
La. Tech got the bases loaded in the bottom of the first but Haley Gilleland picked up an easy ground ball and took it to second to get out of the inning.
After back-to-back walks to Lisamarie Coronado and Brooke Phipps, a single by Haley Perkins to center scored Jody Badorine (pinch runner) from second for a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth with two outs.
Morgan Melloh got her 10th strikeout of the day as she struck out the leadoff batter, Jessica Kirby in the sixth. It was her six-straight start with 10 or more strikeouts and her 20th 10-plus strikeout game of the season. Melloh ended with 13 strikeouts.
In the bottom of the sixth, La. Tech tried to tie the game after single by Valeria Quiroga. Krissi Oliver walked, then a single by pinch hitter Allie Geisler to left field sent pinch runner Sara Offutt home but Bulldog left fielder Alexis Lujan threw home and Caitlin Stiglich tagged Offutt out at the plate as the `Dogs maintained the lead after six.
The `Dogs added two more runs in the top of the seventh as Brooke Phipps hit her first career home run to left field with two outs.
Back-to-back walks to Perkins and Gilleland set up Stiglich as she hit a single to center as Perkins cored from second
Game Two: La. Tech 1, Fresno State 0 (10 innings)
Kylie Bassett hit a solo home run to right center as La. Tech took game two of the doubleheader 1-0 in 10 innings.
Mackenzie Oakes started the game for the `Dogs but left in the fifth with one out. Oakes allowed five hits and struck out four in 4.1 innings of work.
Melloh finished the game for the `Dogs in the circle, striking out six more batters but picked up the loss and is now 20-13 on the year. She had 19 total strikeouts on the day and now has 339 on the year, which leads all NCAA pitchers. With 793 in her career, she is just shy of the 800 career mark.
The `Dogs had two hits in the game off of Lady Techsters pitcher Wanda Malone. The first hit was a single to center by Gilleland to lead off the fourth. Gilleland also had the second hit, a bunt single in the ninth.
Fresno State is off until next Friday, April 17 as the `Dogs host Nevada in a three-game WAC series at Bulldog Diamond. April 17 is Bulldog Softball History/Free Ice Cream Night and April 18 is Senior Night. For more information log on to www.gobulldogs.com.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs return for the last WAC home series as they host Nevada April 17-18. The `Dogs and Wolf Pack play Friday night at 6 pm and close out the series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon starting at 1 pm. Friday is Softball History Night and former softball student-athletes will be on hand to sign autographs. Every fan will also receive FREE ice cream. Saturday is Senior Day as the softball seniors are honored for their dedication to Fresno State softball. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
