Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Cap Judi Garman Classic
3/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FULLERTON, Calif.- Facing two additional nationally accredited teams, Fresno State softball was edged by No. 9 Baylor 9-3 and No. 13 Arizona 7-1 on Sunday in the third-day of the Judi Garman Classic at Anderson Family Field.
"Today we didn't come out ready to play and that's disappointing," head coach Trisha Ford said. "I thought we played two very tough games yesterday and the focus, discipline, and fire did not show up today. You hope as a coach that they learn from these games and it helps us get ready for our last tournament series and then conference opener."
Baylor was first to score in the fifth inning followed by a four-run grand slam to put the Bears up 5-0. The Women's College World Series returnee grasped a five run lead over the `Dogs in the fourth inning with a two-run homer, tallying a total of six runs on two over the fence shots for the Bears.
Back-to-back singles from Brenna Moss and Malia Rivers started a two-run third inning rally for Fresno State in which Rivers reached home on a single to right field by Kierra Willis to score the first run for the Bulldogs.
Junior Paige Gumz led the team with three hits in four at-bats against Baylor including a pair of singles early in the game driving in one of the 'Dogs three runs scored. The Bulldog catcher continued her offensive success with Fresno State's lone hit in the seventh inning.
The Bulldogs posted 11 hits against the Bears and tied its season high of 12 runners left on base with one or more in all but one inning.
Fresno State utilized all but one member of its pitching staff against Baylor on Sunday with Hannah Harris (4-2) drawing the start in the circle and striking out four batters in the first two innings. Taylor Langdon made a two inning appearance and lefty Kiley Shae Aldridge tossed the remaining three innings of the game, allowing the Bears only three hits.
Freshman Chase LeeHong hit her second collegiate double in the sixth inning to score the `Dogs third and final run of the game.
Following a one game break, Fresno State was back in action against No. 13 Arizona where the `Dogs fell 7-1 in the final game of the Judi Garman Classic.
The Bulldogs put up one or more hits in four innings against the Wildcats, with Moss scoring Fresno State's lone run in the top of the fifth inning.
Junior Jill Compton (9-6) made her first appearance of the day facing Arizona in what was her nineteenth start in the circle for the `Dogs. Compton lasted 4.1 innings before Aldridge came in to close out the remaining 1.2 innings, giving up only one hit and recording her third strikeout of the season.
Leading the team in the second game of the day was Moss and Alyssa Villalpando with two hits in their three at-bats against the Wildcats. Willis recorded her third double of the season leading off the top of the sixth inning and LeeHong tallied her fifth collegiate hit in her second at-bat of the game.
"Brenna Moss had just a tremendous weekend," Ford added. "She is truly a special player. We will go back to the drawing boards, fine tune some things and be ready to go on Thursday"
On Saturday, the Bulldogs were topped by the top two programs in the nation, No. 1 Florida (27-0) and No. 2 Oregon (18-3), posting the solo run of the day against undefeated Florida.
Looking ahead, Fresno State will host its third tournament of the season, the annual Fresno State Classic, beginning on Thursday, March 12. The `Dogs will welcome Cal Poly, Minnesota, Montana, Pacific, Providence and South Dakota State to Margie Wright Diamond for the four-day tournament.
"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.
