Bulldogs can’t slow down undefeated Gophers

Friday, February 24

Fresno, Calif.

5:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

#12 Minnesota

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs can’t slow down undefeated Gophers

2/24/2017 9:03:00 PM | Softball

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The Bulldog Classic continues on Saturday as the Bulldogs face UC Davis at 5:30 p.m. PT and Idaho State at 8 p.m.

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team fell to No. 12-ranked Minnesota, 9-2, on Friday night at Margie Wright Diamond. The Bulldogs head into the third day of the Bulldog Classic with a 7-5 record and are set to face UC Davis at 5:30 p.m. PT and Idaho State at 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Minnesota (11-0) put their ace Sara Groenewegen in the circle to face the 'Dogs, a pitcher that came into the game with a 5-0 record and a 0.72 ERA. Groenewegen had yet to give up more than four hits in a game this season and held opponents to a .129 batting average.

The game started off with junior Savannah McHellon on the mound for the Bulldogs, who kept the game close for the first three innings, allowing one run on four hits and holding the Gophers to a 1-0 lead. However, in the top of the fourth, Minnesota hit a three-run home run and Fresno State put in freshman Samantha Mejia in the circle for relief.

The Gophers would score two more before the Bulldogs answered in the bottom of the fifth with three straight two-out singles to keep themselves from getting shut out for the first time this season. Minnesota came back in the next inning with another three-run home run to take a 9-1 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, senior Kierra Willis took a free pass with two outs before sophomore Morgan Howe tripled her in to keep the game going into the seventh. The Bulldogs got two runners on in the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to cross another over the plate.

Groenewegen pitched five innings for the Gophers and gave up a season-high six hits while striking out eight. Amber Fiser came in to close the game out, pitching the final two innings and striking out two.

Mejia pitched a season-high 3.2 innings in relief for Fresno State, allowing three earned runs on five hits and four walks with a strikeout.

Senior Malia Rivers, junior Katie Castellon and Howe notched two hits each and Howe's triple was the Bulldogs' seventh of the season.

For game times and other information on the Bulldog Classic, head to GoBulldogs.com.

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.