Mejia secures complete-game win as ’Dogs split final day at Bulldog Classic

Sunday, February 26

Fresno, Calif.

11:30 a.m. PT

Fresno State

9-6

Cal Poly

8-6

Cal Poly

Fresno State

Mejia secures complete-game win as ’Dogs split final day at Bulldog Classic

2/26/2017 5:57:00 PM | Softball

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Fresno State Softball fell to Cal Poly, 2-0, and defeated UC Davis, 7-3, on Sunday

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team split the final day of the Bulldog Classic on Sunday at Margie Wright Diamond as the Bulldogs fell to Cal Poly, 2-0, and defeated UC Davis, 7-3, to secure a 10-6 record heading into the Judi Garman Classic on Thursday.

Fresno State freshman pitcher Samantha Mejia earned her first complete-game win against the Aggies (5-8), her second victory of the season, while junior Savannah McHellon knocked her third home run of the year over the left field wall to provide a spark for the Bulldog offense.

"[Mejia] did an amazing job all weekend and has really stepped up to the challenge," Fresno State head coach Linda Garza said. "It's great to see her have that performance today."

Earlier in the day, Fresno State was shut out by Cal Poly's Lindsey Chalmers, who allowed only two hits and a walk while striking out nine batters.

"I thought Cal Poly's pitching did an amazing job," Garza said. "I think we were really challenged from a pitching perspective this weekend. They did a great job. They threw some off-speed pitches and kept our power hitting off-balance."

How it happened against Cal Poly
The Bulldogs scraped together three hits and three runs to defeat Cal Poly in extra innings on Thursday in a classic pitching duel, but couldn't capitalize on their few opportunities against the Mustangs on Sunday.

The teams combined for five hits through the first six scoreless innings as the Bulldogs' ace, sophomore Kamalani Dung (7-3, 1.68 ERA), battled against Chalmers. Dung finished the game with four strikeouts and allowed eight hits.

In the top of the seventh, the Mustangs broke the game open with back-to-back solo home runs. Senior Malia Rivers led off the bottom of the first with a single to third base, but the Bulldogs wouldn't get another hit until the bottom of the seventh when senior Lindsey Willmon singled through the left side.

In the final half-inning, the 'Dogs had two runners on with one out, but the final two batters struck out and Cal Poly came away with a victory.

How it happened against UC Davis
In the first start of her collegiate career, Mejia came away with three strikeouts, including the final two batters of the game, and allowed two earned runs on eight hits.

The Bulldogs struck first in the bottom of the second when McHellon hit her third home run of the season over the left field wall. Fresno State tacked on one more the in the third when Rivers walked, made her way to third and was sent home on a single to center by sophomore Morgan Howe.

The Aggies tied it up 2-2 in the fourth, but the Bulldogs came right back and scored four more in the bottom of the inning. UC Davis closed Fresno State's lead to 6-3 in the fifth, but the 'Dogs added an insurance run in the sixth to put the game out of reach.

McHellon finished the game going 2-for-2 with two runs scored, while sophomore Vanessa Hernandez recorded a game-high two RBIs.

The UC Davis pitchers combined for two strikeouts and allowed two earned runs on six hits and gave up two walks.

What's next?
The Bulldogs head to Fullerton, Calif., on Thursday to take part in the Judi Garman Classic. Fresno State is slated to face Long Beach State, Iowa, Indiana, Northwestern and No. 8 Washington.

The 'Dogs return home on March 10 as they host the Fresno State Invitational and will play against BYU, Oregon State and Sacramento State.

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