Fresno State Athletics
Clutch Hitting Leads the Dogs to a Win
2/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
TEMPE, Ariz.- The Fresno State softball team (4-1) concluded its final game of the ASU Kajikawa Classic with a 10-2 win in five innings over the San Diego Toreros (2-3) Sunday afternoon at the Tempe Sports Complex.
"For our opening weekend I think we did a great job of staying together as a team and executing when we needed to," head coach Trisha Ford said. "We had some big hits from our upperclassmen this weekend. Their leadership is the key to our success. Our pitchers made pitches when we needed them and we had some solid defensive games. There is still a lot of work to be done but for the first weekend out I was pleased with their approach and look forward to our home opener this weekend."
Up against a team who defeated No. 16 Arizona State (5-3) in Friday's play of the Classic, the `Dogs gave the Toreros their third loss of the season after falling to Indiana and New Mexico in Saturday's play.
Freshman first baseman Chase LeeHong led the team with two hits in her three at-bats, driving in two runs for the `Dogs including a double to the left side followed by a single up the middle in fifth inning to put Fresno State up 7-2.
Jill Compton made her fourth start in the circle for Fresno State recording two three-up, three-down innings and four strikeouts in 4.1 innings before lefty pitcher, Kiley Shae Aldridge made her appearance to close out the remaining two outs of the fifth inning.
Fresno State claimed its first run of the game in the second inning with a hit up the middle from Alyssa Villalpando that scored Paige Gumz to start a four-run rally from the `Dogs with only one out. Other contributors at the plate in that inning were LeeHong with a double to score Kierra Willis and Whitney Smith with a two-run single up the middle before ending the inning with 4-1 lead over the Toreros.
Fresno State continued its hitting streak in the bottom of the third inning with a no-out double from Michelle Solomon that ignited a two-run inning highlighted by a single up the middle from Willis advancing the `Dogs to a 6-2 lead over the Toreros.
Junior transfer Victoria Trevino made her first appearance at the plate for Fresno State and reached base after being pegged by a wild pitch, placing runners at both first and second to start the final inning of the game. Junior outfielder Bria Kennedy also made her 2015 debut and recorded the final run with a sacrifice fly to left field to put the Bulldogs up by eight and end the game in the fifth inning with the run rule.
San Diego allowed four Bulldogs to reach base from walks including Brenna Moss, Solomon, Smith and Willis who capitalized on two runs with both walks for the `Dogs.
Bulldog softball concluded the ASU Kajikawa Classic with a total of four wins and an overall record of 4-1 as they look to host the Fresno State Kick-Off Feb. 13-15. The `Dogs will play Santa Clara in their home opener on Friday, Feb. 13 at Margie Wright Diamond.
"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.
