Bombs blast Bulldogs to 10-7 MW-opening victory over SDSU

Friday, March 17

San Diego, Calif.

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

18-9, 1-0

San Diego State

16-10, 0-1

Fresno State

San Diego State

Photo by: Kiel Maddox

Bombs blast Bulldogs to 10-7 MW-opening victory over SDSU

3/17/2017 11:05:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Fresno State - SDSU box score (PDF)Fresno State - SDSU plays (PDF)2017 Season Stats (PDF)

Fresno State hit four home runs in Friday night’s win over San Diego State

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

SAN DIEGO – Four home runs powered the Fresno State softball team to a 10-7 victory over San Diego State on Friday night to open Mountain West play at the SDSU Softball Stadium.

The Bulldogs (18-9, 1-0 MW) have won 33 of their last 34 conference games and have won their conference opener for the fourth time in Fresno State's five years in the MW. This was the first time the Bulldogs opened MW play against the Aztecs (16-10, 0-1 MW).

Bulldog Bites
- Fresno State's four home runs in the game were the second-most this season after hitting six home runs against Stanford in February en route to a 24-8 victory.
- This was the fourth time this year that the Bulldogs recorded double-digit hits, notching 12 on Friday night.
- Fresno State sophomore Vanessa Hernandez hit her third and fourth home runs of the season on Friday, while senior Lindsey Willmon knocked her third out of the park and sophomore Morgan Howe hit her second.
- Bulldog sophomore Kamalani Dung pitched her 11th complete game of the season, improving her record to 12-5 with a 2.17 ERA. Dung struck out seven and allowed three earned runs on seven hits and four walks.
- Senior Kierra Willis and Howe have each reached base safely over the last six games. Willis' triple on Friday night placed her in sixth place on Fresno State's all-time list with 16 in her career.
- Hernandez leads the team with seven multiple-RBI games this season.
- Freshman Miranda Rohleder went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in her MW debut. She leads the team with eight multiple-hit games.

How it happened
Rohleder led off the game with a bunt single and senior Malia Rivers and Howe each hit into a fielder's choice situation. Howe then advanced to second on a passed ball and attempted to score on a single to right by Willmon, but was thrown out, caught between third and home.

San Diego State then came up to the plate, the leadoff batter reached second on an errant throw from Dung to first base, then scored on second throwing error by Dung. The Aztecs then hit a two-run home run to take an early 3-0 lead.

In the second, junior Savannah McHellon took a leadoff walk and Willis knocked a single through the left side. Both runners advanced when freshman Schuylar Broussard fouled out to the right fielder, but were left stranded.

The Bulldogs tied the game 3-3 in the third when Howe hit a two-run home run after Rohleder notched another leadoff single. Willmon then beat out a ground ball to shortstop and Willis sent her home with her third triple this season.

In the fourth, the Bulldogs took the lead after junior Katie Castellon was hit by a pitch and scored on a double by Rohleder. Howe was intentionally walked and Willmon hit her third home run of the year to right field, giving the Bulldogs a 7-3 lead through four innings.

Hernandez added a solo shot in the fifth before the Aztecs scored on an RBI-double. San Diego State then led off the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back singles and scored a runner on a sacrifice fly and another on a single to close the Bulldog lead to 8-6.

In the seventh, Hernandez hit a two-run home run to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 10-6. The Aztecs came up to the plate in the final half, looking to get a rally going. They were able to score a run and place runners on first and second with two outs, but couldn't get another runner home.

What's next?
Fresno State faces San Diego State on Saturday at 4 p.m. PT and Sunday at noon. Sunday's game will air live and for free on the Mountain West Network.

Series history: Fresno State leads 63-12 (overall) and 9-4 since joining the MW
Last year: Fresno State swept series in Fresno (9-2, 6-3, 8-5)
Last SDSU win: SDSU 3, Fresno State 0 (4/3/15 – San Diego, Calif.)

"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.