Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Sacramento State
Oakes Joins Melloh in No-Hitter Club
2/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 14, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Sophomore pitcher Mackenzie Oakes made history at Bulldog Diamond on Sunday in the Fresno State Kick-Off as she led the `Dogs to a 6-0 win over Sacramento State in game two and pitched the first no-hitter of her career.
"Mackenzie is a great team player and the girls really wanted to win," said head coach Margie Wright. "This is exactly what I expected. I knew we could do all these things. I was impressed and they have worked very hard. They had to execute on the field."
The No. 25 softball team improves to 6-0, their best start since the 2001 team also went 6-0. Fresno State defeated Pacific in game one, 1-0 in eight innings.
Oakes joins fellow pitcher Morgan Melloh who threw her first career no-hitter yesterday Oakes became the 18th Bulldog in school history to throw a no-hitter. It was the 64th total no-hitter at Fresno State. This was the first time since Kristen Hunter and Amanda Scott in 2000, that two different pitchers threw no-hitters in the same season. It was also the first time since Carie Dever and Marcie Green in 1990 that two different pitchers threw no-hitters in back-to-back days.
"It felt really good," Oakes said. "The team did really well and the defense helped me out. I had no idea it was going on. My focus was on trying to get everyone out. I didn't know I had a no-hitter until Coach told me after the game. I came out mentally prepared and that helped. I am proud of Morgan and I was happy to get one too. Our team came out ready to fight and win and take out everyone. We have something to prove this year. It was a good feeling. I was just thinking go out there and drive off the mound and get some ground balls to the girls. I can't stop smiling right now. I am happy. We have a lot of talent offensively."
Game One
A walk-off home run in top of the eighth inning down the left field line by Nicole Angene gave the `Dogs a 1-0 victory over Pacific in game one on the final day of the Fresno State Kick-Off.
It was first extra inning game of the year for the `Dogs and the second for Pacific who falls to 0-3.
Angene got the first hit of the game for the `Dogs off of Pacific starter Nikki Armagost with a single to left field to lead off the bottom of the third inning.
Hannah Williams got the second hit of the game with a single to left field in the fourth.
Pacific threatened in the top of the fifth but Angene caught a line drive and threw over to second base to Becca Walker to force a double play. Caitlin Stiglich threw out a runner at second to end the inning.
A single to left field by Michelle Moses led off the bottom of the seventh for the third hit of the game.
The first hit of the season for Pacific off of Morgan Melloh was a single by Lindsey Pierce to lead off the game. The Tigers got nine hits off of Melloh who threw no-hitter against them yesterday. Melloh improves to 3-0 in the circle and hit nine strikeouts in the game.
Game Two
Haley Gilleland walked to lead off the first inning and stole her second base of the year. With that stolen base, Gilleland moved into sole possession of second place all-time at Fresno State with 40, 11 behind Becky Witt's all-time record. She stole another base in the sixth inning and now has 41.
Jody Badorine followed with a single to right field. Moses drove them all home with a three-run home run to center field, her first of the season for a 3-0 Bulldog lead.
Moses now ranks alone in 10th place all-time at Fresno State with 11 career home runs.
Brooke Phipps had two hits in the game, including a double into left field in the fourth inning. Sophomore Kaitlin Griffin followed in the fourth with a single to left with one out.
During Badorine's at bat, Phipps scored from third for a 4-0 lead.
The `Dogs added another in the fifth as Moses scores from third on a passed ball. She hit a single earlier in the inning.
Phipps walked in the sixth, reached second on a sacrifice bunt by Griffin. Gilleland followed with a single up the middle. She scored on a passed ball with two outs in the sixth for a 6-0 lead.
Oakes finished with seven strikeouts, tying a career-high. She allowed just three walks.
The `Dogs offensively had eight hits in the game, led by Phipps and Moses with two each.
"We Are Your Team" - The 2010 Fresno State softball team heads to the Stanford/Nike Invitational next week.
