Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada
Melloh and Coach Wright Hit Career Milestones
4/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 17, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - On a night where Fresno State softball history was celebrated, sophomore Morgan Melloh and head coach Margie Wright made even more history in the storied program as the Bulldogs earned a 1-0 victory in nine innings over Western Athletic Conference leader and No. 25 Nevada Friday night at Bulldog Diamond. With the win, the `Dogs improve to 27-17 (9-4 WAC) while Nevada falls to 29-13 (9-3 WAC) and now leads Fresno State by just ½ game in the WAC standings.
Entering the game, Melloh was just seven strikeouts shy of 800 in her career. She struck out Nevada's Brittany Puzey to lead off the top of the sixth inning to reach that milestone. The sophomore, who improved to 21-13 on the season with the victory, became just the third Bulldog pitcher and fourth WAC pitcher in history to have 800 strikeouts. The other two Bulldogs are Jamie Southern (1,321) and Amanda Scott (851). Melloh ended with 14 on the night and is now just two strikeouts shy of tying for third all-time in the WAC at 809 with Ali Andrus-Sagas of Utah.
"Morgan's been doing this all year," Wright said. "This is what she expects out of herself."
Wright picked up her 300th career victory in the WAC, becoming just the first coach to every reach such a milestone in the conference. Wright is also the NCAA's all-time winningest coach with over 1,300 career victories.
Melloh allowed three hits on the night, including one in the first as the Wolf Pack would leave the bases loaded after trying to get on the board early.
Nevada had two on in the top of the seventh once again, but a Melloh strikeout ended the Nevada rally to keep the game scoreless.
After no score at the end of seven, the `Dogs went on to play their 10th extra inning game of the season. With the win the `Dogs improved to 5-5 in those game on the year.
"It was great to win an extra inning game," said Wright.
Melloh struck out the side in the top of the ninth and let her teammates' bats do the rest of the work against Nevada's Katie Holverson.
Freshman left fielder Alexis Lujan got her second hit of the game in the bottom of the ninth, a single to left field. She reached second on a Nevada error.
Holverson then threw a wild pitch to Bulldog batter Michelle Moses which sent pinch runner Kaylan Pollard to third. A
After the Nevada coaches called a meeting in the circle with Holverson, the next pitch Moses drilled to left field scoring Pollard for the Bulldog victory.
"I felt like today we were going to come through," Wright added. "Some games you are not sure but today we got the bat on the ball and I felt good about our chances."
The `Dogs had four hits in the game: two by Lujan and one each by Haley Perkins and Moses.
Prior to the game, former Fresno State softball players handed out samples of Fresno State ice cream and signed autographs on the concourse for fans. The former athletes were then honored on the field as former coach Donna Pickel threw out the ceremonial first pitch. There was at least one player back from each of the 31 seasons of the program.
Fresno State and Nevada conclude the three-game series on Saturday at Bulldog Diamond beginning at 1 p.m. It's Senior Day and Bulldog Trivia Day at the field.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - 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.
