Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
10-0
Sacramento State
2-7
Softball extends unbeaten streak to 10
2/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif.- No. 22/24 Fresno State went undefeated (5-0) during the home-opening weekend after topping UC Riverside and Sacramento State on Sunday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond. The Bulldogs extend their unbeaten streak to 10 games after logging five wins during the annual Fresno State Kick-Off Tournament.
The last time Bulldog softball was off to a 10-0 start was in 1997, as the longest winning streak to open a season came in 1982 (17-0) followed by a 13-0 mark in 1989 and 11-0 in 1991.
Fresno State is coming off back-to-back-to-back walk off wins, as each of the three contests ended in a base on ball situation with bases loaded. The 'Dogs topped UC Riverside 4-3 in the final inning and advanced to a 10-0 overall record on a run-rule victory over Sacramento State (10-2).
Senior Taylor Langdon (1-0) drew the start against the Highlanders, going the distance of two innings with one strikeout before fellow senior, Hannah Harris made her fifth appearance on the rubber for Fresno State. Harris was awarded Sunday's win against UC Riverside as she allowed just one hit and had two strikeouts over five innings pitched.
Offensively, second baseman Malia Rivers was the lone Bulldog to log a multi-hit game as she went 3-for-4 with one walk and a team-leading two RBIs in the second inning. The 'Dogs come-from-behind rally continued in the fourth inning on a single to right field from senior Alyssa Villalpando to score the game-tying run.
Following five scoreless halves, Fresno State managed to load the bases on Lindsey Willmon's leadoff triple and two walks from pinch hitter Claire Stucker and Rivers, followed by a game-winning walk by senior Bria Kennedy.
The Bulldogs advanced to 13-2 all-time against the Highlanders after suffering a 4-2 loss to the California local at home during the same tournament last season.
Rookie pitcher Kamalani Dung tossed her first complete game against Sacramento State as she struck out two batters in a five-inning showing. Dung collected her second victory of the season after facing Seattle University last week.
At the plate, Villalpando had an individual career-leading five RBIs against the Hornets as she totaled three hits in three at-bats with one walk during the final game of the three-day tournament. The remaining five runs were driven in by junior Lindsey Willmon (1), Bulldog catcher Paige Gumz (2) and freshman designated hitter Morgan Howe (2). Willmon had the team's second-highest batting average (.750) going 3-for-4 and scoring three of the 10 total runs.
Both of the 'Dogs run-rule victories this season have come against Sacramento State following a 9-0 victory during Friday's opening day of the Fresno State Kick-Off.
Overall this week, Villalpando led the team with a .500 batting average (6-for-12) and .750 slugging percentage on one triple, one double and four singles. The Bulldog third baseman had a high of seven RBI with five walks over the five-game weekend stretch.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will head south to the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, Calif., to face five teams including two top 25 programs - No. 14 Oklahoma and No. 6 Oregon. In addition, Fresno State will take on Northwestern, Loyola Marymount and Cal State Northridge.
Stay Up To Date
Fresno State Athletics continues striving to meet the needs of Bulldog fans around the county, therefore providing several outlets to follow the Dogs' journey in 2016. Stay up-to-date with the latest news via Twitter (@FresnoStateSB), Facebook (Fresno State Softball), Instagram (@fresnostatesoftball) and Snapchat (FresnoStateSB). A full recap and final results can be found at GoBulldogs.com following each competition.
Come game day, a live stat feed of all home games can be found on StatBroadcast and GameTracker. The Red Wave can watch live on the Mountain West Network or listen on ESPN 790 AM "The Deuce" during select games. Please note, all broadcast schedules are tentative and subject to change.
"Be Bold!" - The official home of Fresno State Softball is 790 AM ESPN2 "The Deuce."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dung, Kamalani (1-0)
L: Matthias, Celina (1-3)
Batting:
2B: Alas, Natalie 1
RBI: Gialketsis, Nikki 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Alas, Natalie 2
SB: Johnston, Shelby 1
Batting:
2B: Villalpando, Alyssa 1 ; Gumz, Paige 1 ; Howe, Morgan 1
RBI: Willmon, Lindsey 1 ; Villalpando, Alyssa 5 ; Gumz, Paige 2 ; Howe, Morgan 2
Base Running:
RUNS: CARDINALI, Wendy 1 ; Kennedy, Bria 2 ; Willis, Kierra 1 ; Willmon, Lindsey 3 ; Villalpando, Alyssa 1 ; Gumz, Paige 1 ; Smith, Whitney 1
