Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Host Boise State
4/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 1, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. -The `Dogs return home to host Boise State in the WAC home opener at Bulldog Diamond with a single game on Friday at 6 p.m. and a doubleheader on Saturday that begins at 1 p.m. The `Dogs are 23-12 on the year after going 2-1 and winning their WAC opening series at Nevada last weekend.
Scouting Boise State
The Boise State Broncos are just one of two undefeated teams in WAC play after opening weekend (along with Hawai'i) after sweeping the New Mexico State Aggies in Boise, Idaho last weekend. They went 5-0 last week, also sweeping a doubleheader against Weber State. Boise State is 13-19 on the year after splitting games with Sacramento State and Pacific earlier this week. The Broncos are in their second season as a Division I program. The `Dogs lead the overall series 4-0, sweeping the WAC regular season series in Boise last year and then defeating the Broncos in the second round of the WAC Tournament at Bulldog Diamond. Kathy Cox leads the team in batting and was named this week's WAC Hitter of the Week. Allie Crump leads the team in the circle in with a team-low ERA and in wins. Saturday is YOUTH SOFTBALL DAY! $5 ticket package includes general admission ticket, "Rookie Meal Package", running the bases after the game, pictures with TimeOut and taking the field for the National Anthem.
Recapping the UC Santa Barbara Games
The `Dogs had their final non-conference games of the season on Tuesday as they defeated the Gauchos on their home field 5-4 and 9-1 (5 innings). Mackenzie Oakes got the wins in both games, improving to 10-4 on the season in the circle. Andrea Ortega was 6-for-7 from the plate and reached base on all nine plate appearances by an error and with two walks. Nicole Angene also came up big for the `Dogs in the doubleheader as she hit .714 with five hits. Michelle Moses and Brooke Phipps each had home runs for the `Dogs in the second game.
Live Audio/Stats/Streaming
Live stats are available for every game during the season, both home and away, for free and will be provided via gametracker at www.gobulldogs.com. Live audio will be provided for free at www.gobulldogs.com for all road games with Alyssa Chambers calling the action. All Fresno State home games can be heard live on 790 the Deuce, ESPN Radio with Guy Haberman calling all of the action from Bulldog Diamond. Fresno State fans now have the opportunity to watch live video streaming of all home softball games for a small free via Fresno State All-Access. Fans can purchase the package and watch live events for many Fresno State sports including press conferences and special features.
Blood Drive Challenge
The 10th Annual Jenny Eller Blood Drive Challenge begins Monday, March 8 and ends Friday, April 9 at the Bulldogs' softball game vs. Utah State. Fans are encouraged to donate blood and they will receive a 2010 Fresno State softball commemorative t-shirt and a game ticket discount! Fans can donate at the following locations: Jenny Eller Donor Center, Fresno Donor Center, North Fresno Donor Center, Visalia Donor Center and the Porterville Donor Center. Fans can also donate blood in the blood mobile which will be outside of Bulldog Diamond prior to the April 9th game.
Chasing Records
Several Bulldogs will look to move up the Fresno State, WAC and NCAA career record books this season. Head coach Margie Wright continues to set records of her own. She picked up her 600 victory at Bulldog Diamond in the season opening win vs. Santa Clara. Wright has 1,205 wins at Fresno State and picked up her 1,200th with a 1-0 victory over Virginia in the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif. Wright is also 32 wins away from 1,400 in her career.
Morgan Melloh is on pace to break the Fresno State and WAC strikeout record this season along with moving up in total appearances, games started, wins, complete games, innings pitched, strikeouts per 7 innings, shutouts and saves. In Fresno State history, Melloh is No. 5 in appearances with 134 (needs two for 4th), T9 in games started with 105 (needs two for 6th), T7 in wins with 81 (needs three for 6th), No. 9 in complete games with 90 (needs four for 8th), 7th in innings pitched with 781.0 (needs 25.2 for 6th), No. 2 in strikeouts with 1,052 (and needs 269 for No. 1), No. 9 in shutouts with 40 (needs three for 8th), No. 3 in saves with six (needs four for No. 2).
Junior Haley Gilleland has 46 stolen bases in her career and needs just five to tie Becky Witt's school record of 51. She was 3-for-4 for stolen bases on opening weekend and picked up her fourth of the year vs. UC Riverside. She had one stolen base at the San Diego Classic I and one in the Bayer CropScience Classic.
Sophomore Michelle Moses hit her 11th home run of her young Bulldog career on opening weekend and now has 10 on the year, tying her single-season mark from a year ago. She hit a three-run home run vs. No. 13 Texas and her first career grand slam vs. Utah. With 20 career home runs she currently is eighth place. She needs three more to tie Nichole Willis in seventh.
Hitting Streaks
Several Bulldogs have already posted long hitting streaks throughout the season as Haley Gilleland is riding a 15-game hitting streak, a team-high for this season. Gilleland's career-high hitting streak is 17 games. The school record is 35 set by Robyn Yorke (1994-97).
Other long hitting streaks by Bulldogs this season include: Jody Badorine (seven games, Feb. 14-26), Andrea Ortega (seven games, March 13-18), Haley Gilleland (six games, Feb. 14-26), Caitlin Stiglich (six games, Feb. 20-26 & five games, March 21-March 30), Courtney Moore (four games, March 10-14), Michelle Moses (four games, Feb. 13-14 & six games March 24-Present).
"We Are Your Team" - Check out the `Dogs on Friday, April 2nd when they challenge the Boise State Broncos in their first conference game of the 2010 season. First pitch is set for 6pm at Bulldog Diamond. Get your tickets through the Bulldog Ticket Office or by calling 278-DOGS.
