Fresno State Athletics
Offensive Battle Leads `Dogs to a Sweep
3/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FORT COLLINS, Colo.- As the Mountain West preseason favorite, the Fresno State softball team swept the three-game conference series over Colorado State after an 11-2, five-inning, victory over the Rams on Sunday.
"That was a great series." Head coach Trisha Ford said. "We had contributions up and down our lineup. Jill [Compton] was stronger today and threw a great game, that's what I expect out of her. Defensively we had some miscues that were capitalized on today but I love the fact we came right back and answered. We will enjoy this today and start prepping for our next series tomorrow."
At the conclusion of the first weekend of Mountain West play, Fresno State advances to an overall record of 22-10 and undefeated (3-0) in conference action. The `Dogs are the first team to sweep Colorado State at Ram Stadium in the past two years in the conference, breaking the Rams' unbeaten home streak this season.
After a scoreless first inning, Colorado State struck early scoring two runs in the bottom of the second. The 'Dogs didn't stay down long as they took the lead in the top of the third scoring three runs on four hits.
The Bulldogs stranded three runners on base in the first two innings before scoring the first run in the top of the third on a single from Michelle Solomon. Batting in the three spot for the `Dogs, Solomon went three-for-four on the day scoring two of Fresno State's 11 runs.
Fresno State forced three Colorado State defensive errors, capitalizing on four unearned runs on Sunday afternoon. The `Dogs 11 runs were generated by six Bulldogs including Malia Rivers, Chase LeeHong and Alyssa Villalpando who had one apiece, Solomon and Kierra Willis with two and Paige Gumz tied her 2015 season high with four runs.
Jill Compton (13-7) drew the start in the circle for the second time during the weekend conference series and went the distance of five innings with eight Ram strikeouts. The junior righty threw her eleventh complete game on Sunday against Colorado State and holds a team-best of 132 strikeouts in her 26 game appearances.
The Rams utilized three members of their pitching staff in the first four innings with the `Dogs accumulating 11 runs on 14 hits including 13 singles and one double from Villalpando who owns three on the season.
Series Leaders
The `Dogs scored a total of 23 runs on 31 hits in the three-game weekend slate against the Rams. Three Bulldogs posted a .500 batting average on the weekend including Rivers, Solomon and Bria Kennedy. As Fresno State's starting catcher, Gumz had a team-best of seven runs batted in and a .750 slugging percentage against Colorado State.
Weekend Recap
Fresno State grasped the MW series over Colorado State after a 3-1 win on Saturday, going into Sunday undefeated after a 9-0 (5) victory during the conference opener on Friday afternoon.
Looking Ahead
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Friday, March 27 as they host San Jose State at Margie Wright Diamond for the second weekend of Mountain West play and look to extend its four-game win streak.
"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.
