Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
13-5
Wisconsin
9-9
Bulldogs outshined on Saturday
3/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FULLERTON, Calif.- The No. 21/22 Fresno State softball team went 0-2 during Saturday's doubleheader following a top 25 showdown with No. 22/24 Baylor (4-3) and Wisconsin (4-0) at Anderson Family Field during the 11th annual Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif.
The Bulldogs (13-5) and Bears (14-3) both entered Saturday's contest with only three loses in 16 total matchups during the 2016 non-conference slate while Wisconsin was 8-9 coming off an afternoon loss to Oregon State.
Earlier in the tournament, Fresno State had topped Northwestern (7-1), Baylor collected wins over San Jose State (6-1) and Oregon State (3-0) meanwhile Wisconsin split 1-1 versus host Cal State Fullerton (W, 3-2) and Arizona State (L, 4-1).
Following six quick outs in the opening inning, the Bears got on the board first due to a two-run homer in the second as senior Jill Compton made her second start of the weekend on the rubber for Fresno State. Compton was charged just her second loss of the season after going the distance with two strikeouts in 26 batters faced.
Fresno State stranded five runners on base prior to scoring in the top of the fifth. Senior Whitney Smith laid down a bunt for a leadoff single, advanced to third on two wild pitches and cut Fresno State's deficit by one on a ball to the right side from senior Bria Kennedy.
After starting the sixth on back-to-back singles and forcing Baylor's second pitching change, pinch hitter Morgan Howe knocked in the game-tying run on a fielder's choice to second. Junior Malia Rivers gave the Bulldogs a one-run edge on an infield single prior to the Bears coming to the plate. A two-run double and one-run triple put Baylor up 5-3 in the bottom of the inning.
Despite freshman designated player Dominique Jackson's sixth home run of the year, Fresno State fell 5-4 as Baylor owns the 4-0 all-time mark.
Fresno State's final game featured Wisconsin as the second Ben Ten opponent faced over the weekend stretch. Senior Hannah Harris (2-3) started in the circle and tossed three innings prior to Compton making her second appearance of the day in the fourth.
Following three complete scoreless innings, the Beavers go-ahead run was tallied on an infield throwing error in the fourth that was shadowed by an RBI single and a one-run wild pitch. Compton kept the Bulldogs untouched in the fifth, however Wisconsin collected its fourth and final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run.
At the plate, four Bulldogs had one hit in Saturday's finale including Rivers, Kierra Willis, Alyssa Villalpando and Lindsey Willmon while Kennedy paced the team in walks with two versus Wisconsin.
Prior to tonight's action, the last meeting between Wisconsin and Fresno State came in 2010 as the 'Dogs trumped the Badgers 3-1 to extend a four-game win streak. In eight combined all-time matchups starting in 2001, the Bulldogs have now fell three times to Wisconsin.
After edging the Wildcats and Cal State Northridge last week, Fresno State was positioned No. 22 in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll and checked in at No. 21 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball listings.
Next Up
The final day of the Judi Garman Classic will feature the 'Dogs sixth top 25 matchup of the season against No. 22 Oregon State at 11:30 a.m., followed by California (2:00 p.m.) who recently dropped out the national polls.
In addition to No. 21/22 Fresno State, host Cal State Fullerton welcomed 11 programs from across the country including six top 25 teams hailing from six conferences - No. 14/18 Missouri (SEC), No. 2/3 Michigan (Big Ten), Long Beach State (Big West), No. 17/19 Arizona State (Pac 12), San Jose State (Mountain West), California (Pac 12), North Carolina (ACC), Wisconsin (Big Ten), Northwestern (Big Ten), No. 22/24 Baylor (Big 12) and No. 22 Oregon State (Pac 12).
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: STEVENS (4-4)
L: Harris, Hannah (2-3)
Batting:
2B: Rivers, Malia 1 ; Villalpando, Alyssa 1 ; Willmon, Lindsey 1
Base Running:
CS: Rodriguez, Christina 1
Batting:
HR: ARENTS 1
RBI: ARENTS 1 ; CROSS 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MILLER 1 ; HEIM 1 ; ARENTS 1 ; FLUGAUR 1
CS: JENKINS 1
