Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
25-9-1, 7-0
New Mexico
18-15, 3-4
Villalpando lifts 'Dogs past Lobos
4/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- Fresno State softball's Alyssa Villapando helped capture the squads seventh-straight Mountain West victory with five RBI's during Friday's 11-5 triumph over New Mexico. The 'Dogs return to Lobo Field at noon on Saturday and will close out the third conference series on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Fresno State took the lead on Villalpando's two-run homer with two away in the first inning. The starting third baseman collected two additional RBI's on a bases-loaded single in the top of the second and knocked in her fifth run of the day in the fourth to put the 'Dogs up 6-4.
Villalpando had a perfect five-for-five showing at the plate with five RBI's, a 1.600 slugging percentage, eight total bases and owns the squad's second highest tally in overall home runs (7) this season.
Bulldog catcher Paige Gumz went four-for-five and scored Friday's go-ahead run on a single though the left side in the second, prior to a one-run base hit to left in the top of the sixth. In addition, junior Lindsey Willmon (2-for-4) logged a Bulldog RBI along with pinch hitters Victoria Trevino and Morgan Howe.
From the rubber, Jill Compton (15-4) leads the league in wins and went down as the pitcher of record after going the distance with seven strikeouts in 31 batters faced. The senior ace allowed New Mexico six hits and gave up three earned runs with a team-leading overall ERA of 2.68 in 22 combined appearances.
New Mexico put two runs up on a homer in the middle of the first and brought the game within one on a three-run knock in the second. Despite adding a solo run in the seventh, the Lobos suffered their fourth regular season loss and moves to 18-15 (3-4 MW) overall.
Friday's series opener marks the sixth double-digit victory the Bulldogs have accounted for this season and became the 13th contest with 10 or more combined hits.
The Lobos are positioned fifth in the league standings after dropping last week's series to Nevada, 1-2, and took two-of-three at home against Utah State on March 24-26.
The two programs have competed in 43 total contests since 1981 and Fresno State owns a 38-5 all-time series record. The 'Dogs have fell just once to New Mexico in the last 20 matchups dating back to 1998. The most recent meeting came in 2015 as Fresno State swept the conference series (7-1, 4-0 and 4-1) at home on April 7-8.
Fresno State won the series 2-1 during their last trip to Albuquerque in 2014 with the lone loss ending in an 11-9 extra-inning final score.
ON THE HORIZON
The 'Dogs will play host to Utah State (April 15-17) and Colorado State (April 22-24) before taking the road for a three-game series with San Jose State (April 29-May1). The remaining regular season slate rounds out with Nevada (May 6-8) and Fresno State's senior weekend versus UNLV (May 12-14).
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.
A stat feed will be provided for each home game in addition a live stream on the Mountain West Network. The Red Wave can 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: Compton, Jill (15-4)
L: SOLES (3-6)
Batting:
HR: Villalpando, Alyssa 1
RBI: Villalpando, Alyssa 5 ; Gumz, Paige 2 ; Willmon, Lindsey 1 ; Howe, Morgan 1 ; Trevino, Victoria 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kennedy, Bria 1 ; Rivers, Malia 1 ; Willis, Kierra 3 ; Villalpando, Alyssa 2 ; Coates, Brooke 1 ; Rodriguez, Christina 1 ; Willmon, Lindsey 1 ; Smith, Whitney 1
HBP: Willis, Kierra 1
Batting:
HR: ERICKSON 1
RBI: ERICKSON 3 ; GRAY 1
Base Running:
RUNS: SMITH 2 ; ERICKSON 1 ; FRANC 2
SB: RIMMER 1
