Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Utah State
Bats Come Alive in Doubleheader Sweep
5/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 1, 2009
LOGAN, Utah - Fresno State took care of business in the first two games of the three-game regular season series finale at Utah State on Friday as the `Dogs shutout the Aggies 10-0 and 9-0, both in five innings. The `Dogs improved to 32-18 overall and 15-5 in Western Athletic Conference play.
Morgan Melloh picked up her 24th and 25th wins on the season and her 66th and 67th wins of her career, tying her for 10th all-time at Fresno State on the career wins list with Lindsay Parker. Melloh also pitched her 74th and 75th complete games of her career as she ranks No. 10 in the career books in that category as well.
Game One - Fresno State 10, Utah State 0 (5 innings)
A walk to Haley Perkins then a bloop single to left field by Haley Gilleland led off game one for the `Dogs as their bats came alive for 10 runs on 13 hits in game one.
A single by Ryane Petersen to right field gave the `Dogs the early 1-0 lead in the first. A bloop single to left field by Caitlin Stiglich scored Gilleland from third.
A single down the left field line by Lisamarie Coronado drove in the final run of the inning for a 3-0 Bulldog lead.
After a walk to Nicole Angene to lead off the top of the fourth, a Perkins single put two on for the `Dogs. A Gilleland double cleared the bases for a 5-0 lead.
A sacrifice fly to left field by Petersen drove-in one more. The second double of the game by Stiglich drove in another followed by a double by Alexis Lujan for an 8-0 lead after four.
Nicole Angene singled to right field in the top of the fifth. Jody Badorine pinch ran and reached second on an error.
An error by the Aggie catcher scored Badorine and a double to left center by Moses drove in Perkins for a 10-0 victory.
Gilleland and Stiglich each had three hits for the `Dogs. Melloh allowed just two hits and struck out eight.
"Everything came together today," Stiglich said. "Our hitting was good and our pitching was good today, it's the perfect time in the season for everything to click."
It was the Bulldogs' first five inning run rule game since their 14-1 victory at New Mexico State on March 27.
Game Two - Fresno State 9, Utah State 0 (5 innings)
The Bulldogs got off to an early lead in the first with a two-out solo home run to center field by Michelle Moses, her ninth of the year, a team-high.
In the top of the second, a four-pitch walk to Stiglich then back-to-back singles by Alexis Lujan and Coronado drove in Stiglich for a 2-0 lead.
The defending WAC Player of the Week Brooke Phipps, then extended the lead with a single to right center.
A double by Perkins cleared the bases for a 5-0 lead. She would extend her hitting streak to eight games.
A slow rolling single to center field by Moses drove in Perkins to cap a five-run second inning for the `Dogs.
Phipps doubled to lead off the top of the fourth and was followed by a triple from Perkins to left center to add another run on the board.
Gilleland then reached on an error by the USU shortstop before Moses drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. A Stiglich fielder's choice and an Aggie error allowed Gilleland to score from second.
Lujan also reached on an error as another run scored as the `Dogs got three more in the fourth for a 9-0 lead and final score.
Melloh allowed just three hits and had four strikeouts in the game. Perkins, Moses and Phipps each had two hits in the game for the `Dogs who had eight hits as a team.
"As a team we played unbelievable today," Gilleland said. "It was fun to crack it open again today and to follow it up from Boise State. It was a good thing for the team and I think we need to keep it up and everything will work out well for the WAC Tournament."
Fresno State and Utah State conclude the regular season with game three tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. PST at LaRae and LeGrand Johnson Field in Logan, Utah.
With one game remaining in the regular season for the `Dogs and two left for Nevada, the `Dogs are just ½ game out of first behind the Wolf Pack. Nevada concludes the season with a doubleheader at SJSU tomorrow.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs host the WAC post-season tournament at Bulldog Diamond May 5-9. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
