Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog Softball Off To a Strong Start
2/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
TEMPE, Ariz.- The Fresno State softball team opened the 2015 season on Friday evening at the ASU Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The `Dogs stand undefeated with a six inning, 8-0 win over Fordham followed by a 6-1 victory over Portland State to end day-one of the three-day tournament.
"It's a great way to start this season with a bang," head coach Trisha Ford said. "I think offensively we came out ready to go and our pitchers came and battled through and did a great job. I think Hannah did a great job today and came in and shut them out in both sets, it was a great team effort."
Fresno State opened up the first game with the Rams by scoring one run in the top of the first. Michelle Solomon followed that up with a shot over the left field fence in the bottom of the third inning. The `Dogs continued their success in the fifth with five runs, including another homer from Solomon that put Fresno State up 7-0.
Junior Jill Compton made the start in the circle, giving up a lone hit to the Rams and earned three strikeouts in the 12 batters faced. Hannah Harris came in to pitch the final two innings, giving up only one hit.
"Defensively we have to tighten up a couple of things but our pitchers are coming in and throwing strike, we are playing defensive and it's always a good thing when you give up one run in two games," Ford said.
Solomon led the team going 2-for-2 with a pair of homers and three total RBI in addition to the team's total of eight runs off of seven hits.
"She had a little highlight film in our first game," Ford said. "She's seeing the ball well, getting good pitches and taking a good, aggressive hacks. She made a prenominal play out in right field and threw a kid out that was trying to stretch a single into a double and that's what you look for in your seniors, for them to come out ready to go and ready to play."
Alyssa Villalpando made her debut as a Bulldog going 2-for-3 with one RBI as well as returning catcher Paige Gumz who did the same at the plate.
The Bulldogs carried the same energy into the following game, earning a 6-1 win over Portland State. The game was highlighted with a double by senior Taylor Green with bases loaded to help guide the `Dogs to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
"Another one of our seniors coming through, Taylor Green has worked very hard these past couple of months to earn that position and she's done a great job," Ford said. "It's nice to see those older players come through and step up to that challenge."
The Bulldogs came back to score another run in the second inning and held Portland State 6-0 until giving up one unearned run in the seventh to end the game 6-1 and leave the `Dogs 2-0 after the first day of the ASU Kajikawa Classic.
The `Dogs are slated to take on Ole Miss and Cal State Northridge in day-two of the tournament and San Diego on Sunday, Feb. 8.
"Be Bold!" - The official home of the 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.
