Bulldogs’ comeback falls short, Aztecs win 6-3

Sunday, March 19

San Diego, Calif.

12 p.m. PT

Fresno State

19-10, 2-1

San Diego State

17-11, 1-2

Fresno State

San Diego State

Photo by: Kiel Maddox

Bulldogs’ comeback falls short, Aztecs win 6-3

3/19/2017 4:19:00 PM | Softball

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

Fresno State went 2-1 in its MW-opening series, returns home on Tuesday against CSU Bakersfield

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

SAN DIEGO – The Fresno State softball team was unable to complete the comeback against San Diego State on Sunday afternoon, falling to the Aztecs, 6-3, and leaving the tying run at the plate at the SDSU Softball Stadium. The Bulldogs (19-10, 2-1 MW) took the first two games of the series and return to Fresno for an eight-game home stand.

The 'Dogs and San Diego State (17-11, 1-2 MW) each used three pitchers on Sunday, while each offense recorded double-digit hits for the second-straight game. The Bulldogs are now 5-1 when hitting in double digits.

Fresno State sophomore Kamalani Dung (13-6, 2.22 ERA) began the game in the circle for the Bulldogs, pitching 1 1/3 innings and giving up three runs (zero earned) on three hits. Dung recorded the loss after picking up wins in the first two games of the series.

Bulldog sophomore Morgan Howe went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while senior Malia Rivers went 2-for-4 and found home plate once. Howe and senior Kierra Willis have now reached base safely in the last eight games and are both on season-long six-game hitting streaks.

Over the weekend, Howe notched a .600 (6-for-10) batting average with a home run, double, four RBIs, four runs scored and two walks. She also recorded a 1.000 slugging percentage and .667 on-base percentage. Senior Lindsey Willmon added some strong numbers of her own, going 5-for-11 (.455) with a home run, double, five RBIs, a walk and four runs scored.

Fresno State has won 15 of its last 16 MW series and is 11-4 in its MW-opening series over the last five seasons. The Bulldogs fell to 9-1 when scoring in the first inning and 0-8 when trailing after six innings.

How it happened
The Bulldogs struck early as Rivers singled up the middle, Howe doubled down the left field line and Willmon sent Rivers home on an infield groundout in the first. Fresno state came back up to the plate in the second and Hernandez knocked a one-out single to right and Broussard hit an infield single, but neither could score.

The bottom of the second did not go as the Bulldogs planned, with a couple of outfield errors leading to two Aztec runs. SDSU added another before freshman Samantha Mejia relieved Dung with one out in the second and retired the remaining batters and taking the game into the third, Aztecs leading 3-1.

The Bulldogs answered in the next inning after Rivers led off with a single up the middle, Howe reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a throwing error, and McHellon singled her home, going into the bottom of the third down 3-2. SDSU then scored three more runs over the next two innings to take a 6-2 lead.

Fresno State refused to give up, as Howe led off the fifth with a single and Willmon doubled her home. McHellon then entered the circle for the Bulldogs with the Aztecs holding a 6-3 lead. In the top of the seventh, Howe and Willmon took free passes, but the 'Dogs' rally was halted and SDSU took the last game of the series.

What's next?
Fresno State returns home for an eight-game home stand, beginning with CSU Bakersfield on Tuesday at 6 p.m. PT and Boise State next weekend 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.