Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
UC Riverside
No. 17 `Dogs Improve to 7-1
2/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 20, 2010
PALO ALTO, Calif. - After a tough game one at the Stanford/Nike Invitational, the No. 17 Fresno State softball rebounded well with a 10-2 win over UC Riverside in five innings on Saturday night. The `Dogs improve to 7-1 on the season, their best start since 2001.
"After a bad game one I thought the team did a great job of coming back and hitting the ball like we are capable of," said head coach Margie Wright. "It was good to see that we could bounce back pretty quickly."
UC Riverside tried to strike early on with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the first but Bulldog starting pitcher Mackenzie Oakes got the Highlanders to hit into a double play to get out of the inning.
Jody Badorine got the first hit of the game for the `Dogs with a bunt single in the bottom of the first.
As the designated player in the second game, junior Caitlin Stiglich led off the bottom of the second with a double to left field. Stiglich advanced to third and second baseman Andrea Ortega drew a walk on an illegal pitch by UCR pitcher Marissa Alvidrez.
Third baseman Nicole Angene next drew a walk on a 10 second call on Alvidrez to load the bases with no outs.
A double by sophomore catcher Kaitlin Griffin gave the `Dogs a 2-0 lead.
The Highlanders tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the third with a single to left field by Taylor Thomas.
Oakes left the game after allowing two runs in 3.1 innings. She had three strikeouts.
Morgan Melloh entered in relief and struck out the next to batters to end the inning.
Haley Gilleland led off the bottom of the third with a double to left center and reached third on an error by the UCR center fielder.
Badorine reached on a fielder's choice and on a double steal, Gilleland scored from third to take a 3-2 lead. A single by Stiglich drove in Badorine from third.
After a walk to Andrea Ortega, Angene hit her second home run of the year, a three-run bomb to left field to put the `Dogs up 7-2.
Lisamarie Coronado singled and after a Brooke Phipps walk, Haley Gilleland hit her first home run of the season to left field as the `Dogs scored with runs in the third inning and took a 10-2 lead which would be the final.
Melloh picked up the win to improve to 4-1 on the season.
The `Dogs conclude play at the Stanford/Nike Invitational as they take on Sacramento State at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday followed by a meeting with No. 13 Stanford.
"We Are Your Team" - The 2010 Fresno State softball team continues play in the Stanford/Nike Invitational on Sunday as they take on Sacramento State at 1:30 p.m. and No. 13 Stanford at 3:45 p.m.
