Pitching, clutch hitting earn two wins for Bulldogs on Friday

Friday, March 10

Fresno, Calif.

2:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

14-8

#25 BYU

12-7

BYU

Fresno State

Photo by: Kiel Maddox

Pitching, clutch hitting earn two wins for Bulldogs on Friday

3/10/2017 9:24:00 PM | Softball

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Bulldog starting pitchers combined for 14.0 innings, one earned run, and 10 hits allowed

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team earned two victories on Friday, defeating No. 25-ranked BYU, 6-1, and Oregon State, 4-1, at Margie Wright Diamond on day one of the Fresno State Invitational.

Bulldog Bites
- The Bulldogs (15-8) defeated the Beavers (13-6) for the first time since 2004, and their victory over the Cougars (12-7) was their first since 2013.
- Fresno State's starting pitchers combined for 14.0 innings, one earned run and 10 hits allowed.
- Fresno State is now 2-2 against the Pac-12 and 2-0 against the WCC this season.
- Fresno State earned its first victory against a ranked opponent this year.
- Fresno State is now 8-0 when scoring in the first inning.
- Fresno State is now 9-1 when scoring first and 6-7 when its opponent scores first.
- Fresno State sophomore Kamalani Dung is now 10-4 with a 1.69 ERA and opposing batters hitting .197.
- Fresno State senior Kierra Willis and sophomore Vanessa Hernandez each hit their second home runs of the season against BYU.
- Fresno State senior Malia Rivers finished the day going 4-for-6 with four RBIs.

How it happened against No. 25 BYU
Fresno State junior Savannah McHellon (2-3, 3.97 ERA) began the game in the circle for the Bulldogs and put together her best performance of the season, allowing no runs on three hits and a walk in seven innings pitched.

The 'Dogs struck immediately in the first as Rivers reached on a bunt single, stole second and scored when sophomore Morgan Howe singled up the middle. Hernandez then hit a solo home run in the second to increase the Bulldog lead to 2-0.

Willis then added to Fresno State's total, hitting a 2-run shot over the left field wall in the fourth, followed by a two-RBI single by Rivers in the fifth to give the 'Dogs a 6-0 lead.

Freshman pitcher Samantha Mejia then came into the game to relieve McHellon, allowing two walks and a single to load the bases. McHellon came back into the game, allowed an RBI-single up the middle, but then retired the next three batters to limit the damage.

BYU starter McKenna Bull (9-2) pitched four innings, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks, while Olivia Sanchez finished the game, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk.

With the win, Fresno State improved its record against ranked teams this season to 1-3. Rivers was the only Bulldog in the game to record multiple hits. All six runs for the Bulldogs were recorded by different players.

How it happened against Oregon State
Dung turned in her 10th complete game for the Bulldogs against the Beavers and earned her 10th win of the season, allowing one run on seven hits and a walk while striking out six in the process.

Similar to their previous game, the Bulldogs scored in the first inning after freshman Miranda Rohleder singled and was sent home on an RBI-triple by Rivers. However, the game wouldn't see another run cross the plate until Oregon State tied up the game in the fourth thanks to three singles.

Taylor Cotton (5-1, 1.35 ERA) began the game in the circle for the Beavers and pitched 4.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five. Meehra Nelson (2-1, 5.73 ERA) then came into the game in relief.

Bulldog senior Lindsey Willmon led off the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle, Willis walked and Hernandez hit a two-run double to give the 'Dogs a 3-1 lead. The Bulldogs then loaded the bases and Nelson was relieved by Nerissa Eason (6-4, 3.75 ERA), who walked in a run to give Fresno State its final 4-1 lead.

Quotables
"Today was a glimpse of what NCAA Championship play is like," Fresno State head coach Linda Garza said. "Two quality teams, who will be in the NCAA Tournament, both with All-Regional pitchers in the circle. All week we focused on a game plan and executing it. Today was refreshing to have our players trust our preparation and produce at the plate. Tomorrow will be a great opportunity for us to prepare for what conference will be like. We face the same teams and we have to find ways to win day two."

What's next
The Fresno State Invitational continues on Saturday as the Bulldogs face No. 25 BYU at 3:30 p.m. and Oregon State at 6 p.m. at Margie Wright Diamond.

"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.