’Dogs power past Beavers, fall to Cougars on day two of Fresno State Invitational

Saturday, March 11

Fresno, Calif.

3:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

15-9

#25 BYU

14-7

BYU

Fresno State

Photo by: Kiel Maddox

’Dogs power past Beavers, fall to Cougars on day two of Fresno State Invitational

3/11/2017 10:56:00 PM | Softball

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Fresno State defeated Oregon State, 6-2, after falling to No. 25 BYU, 8-6

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team split day two of the Fresno State Invitational, defeating Oregon State, 6-2, after falling to No. 25-ranked BYU, 8-6, in eight innings on Saturday at Margie Wright Diamond.

The Bulldogs (16-9) improved to 3-2 against Pac-12 teams this year with their second-straight win against the Beavers (14-7) and dropped to 3-1 in extra-inning games after the Cougars (14-7) outlasted Fresno State.

"I'm proud of this team," Fresno State head coach Linda Garza said. "I wish we were 4-0 [this weekend] just like every coach does, but I'm proud that we were in a position to still win that game [against BYU]. We have some chances to still get better for those games in June."

The 'Dogs continue the Fresno State Invitational on Sunday, taking on Sacramento State (6-10-1) at 11:30 a.m. PT.

Bulldog Bites
- Fresno State is now 3-2 against the Pac-12 and 2-1 against the WCC this season.
- Fresno State is now 1-4 against ranked opponents this year.
- Fresno State senior Kierra Willis hit her second home run of the weekend and her third of the year against Oregon State. She finished the day with two hits, a walk, three runs scored and three RBIs.
- Fresno State sophomore Morgan Howe went 4-for-6 with two RBIs on Saturday.

How it happened against No. 25 BYU
Fresno State sophomore Kamalani Dung (10-5, 2.08 ERA) got the nod against the Cougars, who struck early, scoring two runs on three hits in the top of the first inning.

The Bulldogs came back in the fourth to take the lead after loading the bases and getting two-run singles by Howe and junior Savannah McHellon. However, BYU answered with two more runs in the fifth to tie the game 4-4.

Fresno state took the lead back in the sixth after freshman Schuylar Broussard knocked in Willis with her third double of the year, but the Cougars equalized immediately with a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

The Bulldogs entered their fourth extra-innings game of the year and gave up three runs on three hits, bringing the score to 8-5 BYU. Fresno State junior Katie Castellon reached base on a two-out error, scoring Willis in the process, but an infield groundout by freshman Miranda Rohleder sealed the Cougars' victory.

Howe had a three-hit game for the third time this season and Rohleder had a multiple-hit game for a team-leading seventh time this year. Dung allowed eight runs on 11 hits and six walks while striking out six batters.

How it happened against Oregon State
McHellon (3-3, 3.69 ERA) pitched her third complete game for the Bulldogs en route to her third victory of the season. She allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two.

It was a pitching duel until Oregon State scored in the top of the fourth off of two singles to take a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, senior Malia Rivers hit a leadoff single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Howe, and scored on a single up the middle by senior Lindsey Willmon. McHellon then came up with a hit before Willis came up to the plate and smashed a home run over the left field fence to give the Bulldogs a 4-1 lead.

Fresno State added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings, increasing its lead to 6-1. Oregon State attempted to get a rally going in the seventh, scoring a run on two hits, but couldn't get any further.

Rivers was the only Bulldog in the game to have multiple hits, her sixth time this year.

"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.