Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Head to the Bayou State
4/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 8, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
FRESNO, Calif. -The No. 25 Fresno State softball team gets back into Western Athletic Conference action this week on the road, as the `Dogs head south to Ruston, La., for a three-game series vs. the defending WAC Tournament Champion Lady Techsters. Fresno State is 24-16 overall and 6-3 in the conference standings, just 1/2 game behind defending champion Nevada.
Scouting Louisiana Tech
The Lady Techsters are 19-16 overall and 4-4 in the WAC, a tie for fourth in the conference standings. They travel to Northwestern State on Wednesday before hosting the Bulldogs. Last week, La. Tech won the middle game in the three-game WAC series at Nevada. They have won five out of their last seven games. Meghan Krieg leads the way in the circle with a 1.75 ERA and an 11-3 record. She is sixth in the WAC in strikeouts with 121. Amberly Waits leads the WAC in batting with a .441 percentage. Fresno State leads the series 22-3 that began in 2002. The two teams split in 2008, with the `Dogs taking two of three in Ruston then La. Tech defeating Fresno State in the WAC Tournament.
Louisiana Tech Game Time Changes
The Bulldogs doubleheader vs. Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., on April 11 has been pushed back two hours and will now begin at 1 p.m. PST.
Softball History Night
Friday, April 17 at Bulldog Diamond is Softball History Night. All former Bulldog softball players are invited back. If you are a former Fresno State softball player and will like to attend and have not yet RSVP'd, please contact Alyssa Chambers from Fresno State Media Relations (559-244-5615) or Kristina Netzler in Fresno State Marketing (559-244-5623). An autograph session will begin at 5 p.m. on the main concourse with all former players for the fans. All alumnae will then be honored on the field prior to first pitch at 6 p.m.
Free Ice Cream
Friday's game is also Ice Cream Giveaway Night! Free samples of Fresno State ice cream will be given out to all fans in attendance at the gates when they open at 5 p.m. Limit one per person. All former softball players in attendance will help pass out the ice cream at the main gate.
Senior Night
The final regular home game of the 2009 season will be senior night on Saturday, April 18 vs. Nevada. Fresno State will honor two seniors on that night, cousins, Haley and Mallory Perkins.
Grand Slam Galore
Caitlin Stiglich hit her second grand slam of the season (and her career) on March 27 in game two at New Mexico State. Her first grand slam on the year was vs. Wisconsin at the Mayfair Tournament. She became just the fourth Bulldog in school history to hit two grand slams in one season, along with Christina Clark, Amanda Scott and Gina LoPiccolo. Freshman Alexis Lujan hit her first collegiate home run for a grand slam in that same game vs. NMSU. Lujan and Stiglich became just the second Bulldog duo, along with Christina Clark and Rachael Donaldson, to have two Bulldogs each hit a grand slam in the same game.
Magnificent Melloh
Morgan Melloh finished her freshman campaign as the school record holder for strikeouts in a single season with 454 and now, 3/4 of the way through her sophomore campaign, Melloh is continuing to tear up Fresno State, WAC and NCAA record books.
Melloh struck out her 200th batter on the season vs. UC Davis in game one on March 24 and with 58 strikeouts last week, earned her 300th on the year. She has 308 on the season and is second in the NCAA, just one behind Briana Hassett from Minnesota.
She notched her 700th career strikeout vs. Hawai'i in game one and now with 762 in her career, is just nine behind Robin Mackin in the Fresno State record book for third and for fourth in the WAC record books. The school's all-time record holder is Jamie Southern with 1,321 strikeouts.
Melloh's strikeout/7 inning ratio was 8.8 after her freshman season and has jumped up to 9.3 as she averages 10.1 this season alone, to rank 13th in the NCAA. She is ranked 31st in the NCAA all-time with 9.3 strikeouts/7 innings and is the youngest active pitcher on the list. Her ratio is currently first in Frenso State history.
Proficient Perkins
Senior Haley Perkins has proved in her three plus years as a Bulldog that she can do it all. She has played shortstop, third base and second base. She has proved she can steal bases, hit home runs and lead the team. Her senior season, Perkins is continuing to do all of those things and permanently ink her name into the Fresno State career record book. She currently ranks No. 6 in batting average (.368), No. 5 in runs (170), No. 7 in triples (12), No. 7 in hits (256), No. 8 in steals (27), and tied for No. 3 in hit by pitch (27). Before her career is over she will more than likely also rank in the top 10 in at bats, total bases, slugging percentage and walks.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs travel to Louisiana Tech to take on the Lady Techsters April 10-11. The `Dogs return home to battle WAC rival 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.
