Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Edged On Historic Night
2/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif.- Fresno State softball's five game winning streak was broke on Saturday night when the `Dogs were edged 16-12 by Oregon State (15-5). The loss came on what was a well anticipated night for Bulldog softball history as former Fresno State student-athlete and Beavers' head coach, Laura Berg's No. 44 jersey was retired prior to the matchup.
"We came out swinging offensively and showed a lot of fight today but our pitching staff has to be better," head coach Trisha Ford said. "We can't continue to throw four pitch walks and wild pitches, we have to be better in that area but I love our fight. When you score 12 runs you should win a ball game but we just have to continue working though it pitching wise and the great thing is we get to come out tomorrow and do it again."
The Beavers started the game with a strong offensive showing, putting up five runs on four hits, bringing Taylor Langdon in to close out the first inning for the `Dogs after Jill Compton drew the start. Fresno State battled back in the bottom of the first to put up three runs on two hits and forcing one Beaver error.
Fresno State (13-5) utilized its entire pitching staff in the beginning of the game with Compton, Langdon, Kiley Shae Aldridge and Hannah Harris all making appearances within the first four innings. Harris led the staff with three Beaver strikeouts, allowing no runs and giving up only three hits in her 3.2 inning showing.
Both teams put up three or more hits in the first two innings and the `Dogs continued battling at the plate posting an additional run in the bottom of the third followed by a five run rally in the fourth.
Both Michelle Solomon and Kierra Willis hit their fourth home run of the season with solo back-to-back shots over the fence in the fourth inning, adding to a total of 13 homeruns accounted for by the `Dogs this season.
The all-time school record for the most runs scored, by both teams, in a single game (28) was tied in the bottom of the fourth inning when Fresno State posted 12 runs adding to Oregon State's 16.
As fireworks shot off in the background, Berg's No. 44 was proudly revealed on the press box of Margie Wright Diamond prior to the `Dogs game against the Beavers. As of Saturday night, the four-time All-American and three-time USA Softball Olympic gold medalist is only the third female athlete to have a jersey number retired in Fresno State history.
"I thought we did a great job," coach Ford said in regards to Berg's dedication. "The administration did a great job, Laura is a very special person and I think she felt that. We had a fantastic crowd tonight and I'm very excited that we were able to do it, I wish we could've given everybody a better game, but the dedication was due."
Berg ended her collegiate career at Fresno State leading the West Coast Conference in triples, hits, at-bats, games played and total bases. The Santa Fe Springs native was the only Fresno State softball player to produce 396 career hits, standing second in all-time NCAA history, and had a 160-game errorless defensive streak as a Bulldog outfielder. Berg helped Fresno State to its first NCAA Division I national title in 1998 and went on to become the most decorated USA Softball Olympic athlete in history after accumulating a total of 11 medals (10 gold).
The `Dogs will return to Margie Wright Diamond on Sunday for the last game of the Fresno State Louisville Slugger Bash, facing Saint Mary's at 2 p.m.
"Be Bold!" - The official home of Fresno State Softball is 790 AM ESPN2 The Deuce. For ticket information contact the Bulldog Ticket Office at 559-278-3647 or log on to www.gobulldogs.com.
