Bulldogs topped in LA Regional opener

Friday, May 20

Los Angeles, Calif.

3:00 PM

Fresno State

41-11-1

Cal St Fullerton

44-14

Cal State Fullerton

Fresno State

Junior Kierra Willis accounted for her 11th home run of the year on Friday.

Bulldogs topped in LA Regional opener

5/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

May 20, 2016

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

Photo Gallery | CSUF-FS

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Fresno State fell 6-4 in the NCAA Los Angeles Regional opener on Friday against Cal State Fullerton at Easton Stadium. The Bulldogs (41-11-1) move to the elimination bracket and will face the loser of game two featuring tournament-host UCLA and Cal State Bakersfield tomorrow at 3 p.m.

Friday's contest saw five lead changes and two tied scores before CSU Fullerton scored a pair of unanswered runs in the top of the seventh to advance to 44-14 on the season. The `Dogs had six hits on the day, drew four walks and stranded six runners on base.

"Obviously that was a tough loss for us," head coach Trisha Ford said. "I thought we came out with some good energy but we didn't execute in some key situations. We're going to bounce back. The good thing is it's double elimination and we're going to come out ready to go tomorrow."

As just the second Bulldog base runner, senior catcher Paige Gumz gave Fresno State an early 1-0 edge after doubling down the right field line, advancing on a mishandled ball and scoring on a wild pitch. An inning prior Gumz has gunned down her eighth runner caught stealing from behind the dish.

Cal State Fullerton had four runners reach base in the top of the first inning but were left scoreless as the results of a bases-loaded strikeout from starting pitcher Jill Compton (24-6). After being downed in order in the second, the Titans took a 2-1 lead on a two-run homer.

Fresno State enjoyed its second lead of the day on a two-run knock by Mountain West Player of the Year Kierra Willis, which matches the team's individual-high of 11 home runs generated this season. CSUF made a pitching change after Alyssa Villalpando followed up with a hard-hit single in the bottom of the third.

Fullerton answered back with a game-tying RBI-single in the middle of the fourth and regained the lead on one hit in the fifth. The second even score was the result of Fresno State capitalizing on an infield throwing error.

CSUF added two runs on three hits and one error in the top of the seventh to claim the win. The Titans will take on the winner of UCLA and Cal State Bakersfield tomorrow at noon.

The Los Angeles Regional is streamed live on the Pac-12 Network, and fans can tune into 940 AM/790 AM ESPN Radio for a play-by-play analysis of the action from Los Angeles, Calif. For in-game updates, follow Fresno State softball's Twitter account, a full recap and final results can be found at GoBulldogs.com following each competition.

Los Angeles Regional Schedule
Friday, May 20
Game 1 -- Cal State Fullerton 6, Fresno State 4
Game 2 -- 6 p.m. -- CSU Bakersfield vs. UCLA

Saturday, May 21
Game 3 -- 12 p.m. -- Cal State Fullerton vs. Game 2 Winner
Game 4 -- 3 p.m. -- Fresno State vs. Game 2 Loser
Game 5 -- 6 p.m. -- Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner

Sunday, May 22
Game 6 -- 12 p.m. -- Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner
Game 7 -- 3 p.m. -- Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary)

The Regional round of the NCAA Championships are constructed of 32 Division I programs which received an automatic bid, while the remaining 32 teams were selected on an at-large basis to make up the 64-team playing field. The 16 winning programs during the four-team, double-elimination tournament will advance to the Super Regionals on May 26-29.

The 2016 NCAA WCWS will be held at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium - OGE Energy Field in Oklahoma City, from June 2-8. This is the 35th annual NCAA Division I Softball Championship and the 26th time hosted in Oklahoma City at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

"Fun. Family. Forever." - The official home of Fresno State Softball is 790 AM ESPN2 "The Deuce."