Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Boise State
`Dogs Top Broncos 6-3
4/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 24, 2009
BOISE, Idaho - In the first-ever game between Fresno State and Boise State, the Broncos got out to an early lead, but the visiting Bulldogs rallied for the 6-3 win in game one of the three game Western Athletic Conference series on Friday afternoon at the Mountain Cove Softball Complex in Boise, Idaho.
Boise State (21-23, 4-11 WAC) got out to an early lead in the second as they got one run on three hits off of Bulldog started Morgan Melloh.
Melloh had six strikeouts and allowed two earned runs on eight hits in the game. She improved to 23-14 on the year.
Fresno State (29-18, 11-5 WAC) rallied in the top of the third for three runs.
A single to left field by Brooke Phipps to lead off the inning set up a great situation for the top of the lineup. Mallory Perkins advanced Phipps to second and a double by Haley Perkins drove in the tying run.
"We were hitting the ball well but couldn't get anything going," Phipps said. "Then they scored first so we needed to start something."
A Haley Gilleland single put runners on first and third with one out. A ground rule double over the right field wall by Caitlin Stiglich scored Haley Perkins for a 2-1 lead.
Bronco starter Allie Crump was then replaced by Aubray Zell in the circle. The two combined to allow six runs, four earned and 14 hits. The 14 Bulldog hits were a team season-high for a single game.
The final run in the inning for the `Dogs came on a passed ball on Michelle Moses' at bat which brought Gilleland home. The `Dogs took a 3-1 lead after two and a half.
Two more runs came across for Fresno State in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back hits by Lisamarie Coronado and Nicole Angene began the inning.
A Haley Perkins single down the left field line scored one and with two outs and a Gilleand bunt to the first base side allowed Mallory Perkins to score off an error by the BSU first baseman.
A solo home run to lead off the sixth by Phipps extended the lead to 6-1. It was the second hit of the game for the junior and just the second home run of her career.
"The second hit I was just trying to relax and put the ball in play," Phipps added. "We need to carry it over tomorrow and keep on swinging the bats."
Boise State added two runs in bottom of the seventh, but their rally fell short as the `Dogs held on for the 6-3 victory.
Haley Perkins, Gilleland, Moses, Coronado, Angene and Phipps each had to hits for the `Dogs. Eight of the nine starters had hits.
Watch live stats for tomorrow's doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. PST through gametracker on www.gobulldogs.com.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs travel to Boise State to take on the Broncos April 24-25.
