Bulldogs edge Rams to keep streak hot

Friday, April 22

Fresno, Calif.

6:00 PM

Fresno State

32-9-1, 13-0

Colorado State

18-20, 4-8

Colorado State

Fresno State

Bulldogs edge Rams to keep streak hot

4/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

April 22, 2016

By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com

CS-FS1

FRESNO, Calif. - Nationally ranked No. 20 Fresno State moved to 32-9-1 overall and tied the best conference start (13-0) in Mountain West history with a 9-6 win over Colorado State during Friday's series opener at Margie Wright Diamond.

Four Bulldogs accounted for two hits on Friday, led by junior outfielder Kierra Willis who went 2-for-3 with one walk and a team-high four RBIs. As the 'Dogs number two batter, Willis crushed her sixth home run of the season in the first inning and later scored a run on a double to right-center in the fourth.

"I thought Kierra [Willis] came out and set the tone for us in the first inning," head coach Trisha Ford said. "She came up with a huge hit and got more confident in the box during each of her at-bats throughout the night. You can tell she stuck to her plan as well as Malia [Rivers] who consistently reached base. She wreaks havoc on the base path and I'm pleased how the middle of our lineup performed tonight."

Colorado State's first hit of the game cleared the centerfield fence and the game-tying run scored with two away in the third. Fresno State answered back with a reverse cycle starting with a leadoff homer by Bria Kennedy. Infielder Malia Rivers (2-for-4) followed up with the team's six triple of the year and Alyssa Villalpando (2-for-4) added a standup double before Lindsey Willmon topped off the rally with a base hit up the middle.

Righty Jill Compton moved to 19-4 and 9-0 in MW play after tossing her 18th complete-game and surpassing 100 strikeouts during her senior campaign. Compton struck out eight Rams and left eight runners stranded while allowing six runs over seven innings pitched.

Fresno State's defense ranks top 100 nationally in double plays turned per game and added its 16th in the top of the fourth as middles Whitney Smith and Rivers got an assist and Willmon collected the putout at first.

Already leading 9-5, the 'Dogs added an insurance run on a RBI single up the middle by catcher Paige Gumz (2-for-4) who scored Willis after reaching base on her 31st walk of the season.

The Rams are now 18-20 overall and currently posited seventh among the nine-team league with a 4-8 conference mark. Overall, Fresno State leads the series against CSU 32-4, with the Rams' last win being in 2014.

The action continues on Saturday with the fourth annual "Bark in the Park" as fans are invited to being their dogs and enjoy the game. There will be gifts for the first dogs in attendance and the Valley Animal Center will have furry friends up for adoption out on the berm. Kids (12 and under) are invited to run the bases postgame.

QUICK HITS
The 'Dogs have won 23 consecutive league games dating back to the 2015 season and tied San Diego State's previous 2006 record to the best conference start in MW history. The last time the squad opened conference with more than 13-straight wins was a 24-0 stretch, accomplished in 1999.

Fresno State (13-0) tops the Mountain West by a four-game margin over San Jose State (9-4) who staked a claim to second with a series opening 11-1 triumph at Nevada (8-5) on Friday.

In the past three weeks the Bulldogs have swept Boise State and New Mexico on the road and took all three contests from San Diego State and Utah State at home. When combining the past four conference series, Fresno State has outscored their opponent 117-46 which includes four run-rule victories.

ON THE HORIZON
After playing host to the Rams, Fresno State will visit San Jose State (April 29-May 1) and Nevada (May 6-8), prior to senior weekend versus UNLV, May 12-14 at Margie Wright Diamond.

STAY UP TO DATE
Fans can follow the Bulldog's 2016 journey and stay up-to-date with the latest news through several media outlets including 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.

"Be Bold!" - The official home of Fresno State Softball is 790 AM ESPN2 "The Deuce."