Softball sweeps fifth-straight MW series

Sunday, April 24

Fresno, Calif.

11:30 AM

Fresno State

34-9-1, 15-0

Colorado State

18-22, 4-10

Colorado State

Fresno State

Softball sweeps fifth-straight MW series

4/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

April 24, 2016

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

CS-FS3

FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 20 Fresno State softball team captured its fifth-straight series sweep and extended what is the best start to conference play in Mountain West history with a 7-2 win over Colorado State on Sunday at Margie Wright Diamond. Winning pitcher Jill Compton is now 20-4 overall and owns a perfect 11-0 league record.

The Bulldogs move to 34-9-1 and are undefeated over 15 conference matchups while riding a 16-game win streak. Previous weekend action included a 9-6 triumph during Friday's series opener and the 'Dogs third walk-off win of the season (3-2) on Saturday.

"We have a good ball club here," head coach Trisha Ford said. "The team feels that but has to come out every day to get better because every team plays their best against us. Colorado State is a great team, we were flat yesterday but settled down today and hit the ball hard. We did a great job offensively, strung some hits together, drew some keys walks and got runners in scoring position and that's what a good team does."

Junior infielder Lindsey Willmon generated a team-high three RBI on two triples with six total bases, two runs scored and an impressive 2.000 slugging percentage during the weekend finale. In addition, freshman designated player Dominique Jackson drove in two runs and senior catcher Paige Gumz contributed one.

"Lindsey [Willmon] is just clutch for us," Ford added. "She struggled her first couple at-bats but didn't let it affect her, she hit the ball hard and cleared the bases for us. Every time she gets in the box we both know she's in a good place. Lindsey is a true joy to coach and comes out here and works hard."

The 'Dogs gained a two-run edge in the bottom of the first and added four additional runs after allowing the Rams to score their first run on two hits in the top of the third. Willmon led off the fifth inning with her second triple of the day and scored on an RBI-single by Jackson. Fresno State maintained a 7-1 advantage through one complete inning, prior to Colorado State scoring one run and stranding two runners on base in the seventh.

Compton started in the circle for the second time during the weekend series and earned her 83rd career victory while adding three strikeouts to her 651 total. With nine games left on the 2016 regular season schedule, the senior righty ranks sixth in all-time program history in strikeouts, eighth in wins, third in appearances (152), ninth in innings pitched (776.2) and 10th in complete games (82).

The Rams are now 18-22 overall and currently posited eighth among the nine-team league with a 4-10 conference mark. Overall, Fresno State leads the series against CSU 34-4, with the Rams' last win being in 2014.

Next up, Fresno State will visit San Jose State (April 29-May 1) and Nevada (May 6-8), prior to hosting UNLV for senior weekend starting Thursday, May 12 at Margie Wright Diamond.

"We have to keep riding along, each week as we move forward it's going to get tougher and tougher," Ford said. "San Jose State is coming off a monster weekend as well and they're going to be tough. We get to go play them at their place and I welcome it, it's going to be a good battle."

Fresno State (15-0) tops the Mountain West by a four-game margin over San Jose State (11-4), followed by Nevada (8-7) who fell out of the two spot after suffering three-straight losses at home and against the Spartans this week.

QUICK HITS
Fresno State has won its last 16 contests including 15 Mountain West matchups and a single nonconference game. That stretch tops the longest streak in Bulldog softball history since 2000.

The squad is currently 25-0 in conference play dating back to the 2015 season and is riding the longest win streak accomplished by any MW program in league history.

The last time the Bulldog softball program opened conference with more than 15-straight wins was a 24-0 stretch, accomplished in 1999.

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, Utah State and Colorado State at home. When combining the past four conference series, Fresno State has outscored their opponent 136-56 which includes four run-rule victories and three walk-off wins.

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."