Fresno State Athletics
First Inning Rally Pushes `Dogs Past Rams
3/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FORT COLLINS, Colo.- The Fresno State softball team moves to 20-10 on the season and 1-0 in Mountain West play after topping Colorado State 9-0 in a five inning run-rule victory on Friday afternoon.
"We came out ready in the first inning, took advantage of some errors and capitalized on our opportunities." Head coach Trisha Ford said. "Jill [Compton] had a solid game on the mound and was able to pitch us to a win. Colorado State is a very good team and they will come out tomorrow guns firing. It's important that we bring our game."
Six of Fresno State's nine runs were earned off a pair of home runs generated by Chase LeeHong and Kierra Willis. LeeHong, the `Dogs freshman first baseman, recorded her first collegiate home run in the first inning to drive in two Bulldog baserunners, adding to the six-run first inning for Fresno State. Willis had her sixth home run of the season in the top of the fourth inning to put Fresno State up 9-0 over the Rams.
In all but one inning, Fresno State's leadoff batter reached base including a walk from Brenna Moss, a double to left field from Michelle Solomon, a ball up the middle from Bria Kennedy and a single from Malia Rivers.
Defensively, Jill Compton earned the start in the circle and went the distance of five innings to give her 10 complete games on the season. The junior righty gave up only three hits and recorded four Ram strikeouts in the 18 batters faced.
Bulldog catcher Paige Gumz gunned down a runner at second base to give Fresno State momentum moving into the fourth inning where the `Dogs added three to its already six-run lead.
Three Bulldogs had a multi-hit game against Colorado State on Friday including Rivers, Kennedy and senior Michelle Solomon. Eight of the `Dogs nine runs against Colorado State were earned with Solomon and Gumz both recording one each in addition to Fresno State's two home runs.
Previous Action
Last weekend, the `Dogs capped the annual Fresno State Classic with a 4-1 mark after picking up wins over Providence (6-1), Pacific (1-0), Montana (5-1) and Cal Poly (4-1). Fresno State's lone loss came against No. 16 Minnesota during Saturday night's action.
Looking Ahead
Fresno State will return to Ram Stadium on Saturday for the second day of the first conference series against Colorado State. The second game will begin at 12:00 p.m. (PT) followed by the final matchup between the Bulldogs and Rams on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. (PT).
"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.
