Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Claim Series vs. Utah State
4/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
LOGAN, Utah- The Fresno State softball team returned to LaRee & LeGrand Johnson Field on Sunday afternoon, claiming the conference series with an 8-0 run-rule victory over Utah State. Capping a nine-game slate in 11 days, the `Dogs advance to an overall record of 30-14 and 11-4 in Mountain West play.
"It was nice to see our bats come alive today," head coach Trisha Ford said. "Jill [Compton] came out and threw well and we were aggressive in the box. The key for us is to be aggressive on good pitches. We have played a lot of games in a short period of time and need to keep our focus on ourselves and control the controllable."
Starting pitcher Jill Compton retired the first inning on an Aggie strikeout leaving two runners on base and kept a high tempo pace in the circle giving up only one hit and striking out four during her five-inning showing on Sunday. As the `Dogs right-handed ace, Compton moves to an overall record of 19-10 and 8-3 in conference action this season.
Fresno State put pressure on the Aggies early in the game, offensively leaving three runners aboard in the first inning after loading the bases on back-to-back singles and a walk. After stranding four runners on base in the first two innings, Bulldog catcher Paige Gumz drove a two-run home run over left field to put the `Dogs up 2-0 in the third.
Out hitting the Aggies 5-1 through the first three innings of play, Fresno State tacked on six more hits in the fourth inning. With bases loaded, the Bulldogs scored two-runs off a chopper over third base from Malia Rivers and aggressive base running from Brenna Moss scored the `Dogs fifth run on a shallow hit to center by Kierra Willis. Fresno State loaded the bases once again with only one out and scored two runs off an outfield single from Alyssa Villalpando. Leading 7-0 with bases loaded and two outs, Whitney Smith drew a walk to score the `Dogs eighth and final run.
After loading the bases three times and batting a cycle, the Bulldogs scored six runs on five hits with two walks in the fourth inning.
Contributing to the `Dogs 12-hit offensive explosion on Sunday, Rivers, Solomon, Gumz and Villalpando all posted multiple hits and generated one or more runs against the Aggies.
Previous Action
During Friday's action, Fresno State took the first game of the series with a 5-2 victory over Utah State before being edged 4-3 by the Aggies on Saturday.
Looking Ahead
The Bulldogs look forward to a two-week home stand hosting Boise State (April 17-19) and Nevada (April 24-26) for back-to-back Mountain West series at Margie Wright Diamond.
"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.
