Fresno State Athletics

`Dogs Take WAC Opening Series
3/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 27, 2010
RENO, Nev. - The Bulldog softball team finished the three-game Western Athletic Conference opening series at Nevada on Saturday by winning game one 8-5 and falling 7-5 in game two. The `Dogs won the series 2-1 with a 4-1 victory in in game one on Friday.
Fresno State is 21-12 on the year and 2-1 in WAC play while Nevada is 14-14 and 1-2 in the WAC.
Game One
The `Dogs led off game one with singles by Haley Gilleland and Andrea Ortega.
Nevada took an early lead with two runs in the second. Megan Fincher singled and scored on a triple by Noelle Micka. A single to right by Danielle Patrick drove in Micka for a 2-0 lead. .
Fresno State fought right back and took the lead in the third. Becca Walker singled to left center to start it off and scored on a double by Ortega down the right field line. A two-run home run by Michelle Moses to right field gave the `Dogs a 3-2 lead.
A two-run home run by Lauren Lastrapes to right center in the bottom of the third gave the lead back to Nevada 4-3.
With one out in the fourth, Mackenzie Oakes entered to replace Melloh in the circle. Melloh allowed four runs on six hits and had four strikeouts. Oakes picked up the win, her eighth on the season, going 3.2 innings while allowing just one run on three hits.
With one out in the fifth, Katie Holverson entered to replace Mallary Darby for Nevada. Darby allowed four runs on six hits in 4.1 innings. Holverson got the loss while allowing four runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings.
A single by Walker led off the fifth and Jody Badorine reached on a fielder's choice. Three-straight singles by Gilleland, Ortega and Moses put the `Dogs up 7-4
Nevada got one back in the sixth and doubles by Gilleland and Moses added the final run for the `Dogs in the seventh for the 8-5 victory.
The `Dogs had 13 hits, led by Gilleland, Ortega and Moses with three each.
Game Two
Nevada took a 2-0 lead in the second off of Oakes and the Bulldogs never led in the game. Melloh entered in relief with one on and no outs in the third. Oakes went 2.0 innings, allowing three third and three runs and getting the loss.
Danielle Patrick hit a two-run home run in the third for the Wolf Pack as they went up 5-0 after three innings.
Moses doubled to lead off the fourth for the `Dogs. Courtney Moore reached on error by the Nevada shortstop and a double by Coronado to left field scored Moses to put the `Dogs on the board 5-1.
Moses entered to pitch for Melloh with one on and no outs in the fourth. Melloh allowed three runs on two hits. Moses allowed one run on three hits in 3.0 innings. .
Gilleland extended her hitting streak to 13 games with a bun single in the fifth. .
Darby threw a four-pitch walk to Caitlin Stiglich with one out in the sixth, Kaylan Pollard pinch ran for her and scored the second Bulldog run of the game off a double by Coronado. Nicole Angene doubled to drive in Coronado to cut the lead to 7-3.
Another double by Gilleland led off the seventh and a double by Ortega drove in the fourth Bulldog run.
A single by Moore to right center drove in Ortega to cut the lead to 7-5 but that ended the Bulldog rally.
The `Dogs had 10 hits in the game, led by Gilleland, Ortega and Coronado with two each.
Darby got the win for Nevada, her ninth of the year.
"We Are Your Team" - Bulldog Softball will challenge the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos on the road on Tuesday, March 30th when they compete in a doubleheader starting at noon. The `Dogs will be back at Bulldog Stadium on April 2nd and 3rd for a home series against the Boise State Broncos. For tickets and information be sure to check out GoBulldogs.com.