Fresno State takes on Bakersfield in mid-week contest

Tuesday, March 21

Fresno, Calif.

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

CSU Bakersfield

Fresno State takes on Bakersfield in mid-week contest

3/20/2017 1:48:00 PM | Softball

Fresno State Game Notes (PDF)MW Standings and Results (PDF)MW Stats (PDF)

Fresno State Softball kicks off its eight-game home stand at 6 p.m. PT on Tuesday at Margie Wright Diamond

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

Fresno State (RV) (19-10, 2-1 MW) vs. CSU Bakersfield (4-16, 0-0 WAC)
Fresno, Calif. – Margie Wright Diamond

Series history: Fresno State leads 6-1
Last meeting: Fresno State 8, CSUB 5 (5/21/16 – UCLA Regional)
Last CSUB win: CSUB 5, Fresno State 4 (4/10/13 – Bakersfield, Calif.)

Game 30: Tuesday, March 21 – 6 p.m. PT
- TV: None
- Radio: 790 AM ESPN2
- Live Stats: Click Here

FRESNO STATE TAKES ON BAKERSFIELD IN MID-WEEK CONTEST
Following the Bulldogs' first MW series of the season against San Diego State last weekend, Fresno State returns home for an eight-game home stand, beginning with a Tuesday night contest against CSU Bakersfield at 6 p.m. PT at Margie Wright Diamond.

The 'Dogs last met the Roadrunners in the 2016 postseason at the UCLA Regional, defeating CSUB 8-5. Despite being a two-hour drive away, the teams have only met seven times, with Fresno State winning six of the contests.

BULLDOGS OWN AN RPI OF 30 IN FIRST RANKINGS OF THE YEAR
The first RPI rankings of 2017 came out on Monday, with Fresno State placed at a MW-best 30. The Bulldogs have a 12-10 record against teams in the top 100 and are 7-0 against teams below 100. The MW has five teams in the top 100, including San Diego State (58), Colorado State (82), San Jose State (92) and Boise State (98).

BULLDOG BITES HEADING INTO TUESDAY
• Fresno State is receiving votes in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches' Poll.
• Fresno State has a MW-best RPI of 30 this season.
• Fresno State is 12-10 vs. top 100 RPI teams and is 7-0 vs. teams below 100.
• Fresno State won its first MW series of the season against San Diego State last weekend.
• Fresno State's 19 wins are tied for most in the MW.
• Fresno State is 8-3 at home this season.
• Fresno State is 9-1 when scoring in the first inning.
• Fresno State is 10-2 when the Bulldogs score first and 9-8 when their opponent scores first.
• Fresno State ranks ninth in the nation with 0.41 triples per game (12 total).
• Fresno State ranks second in the MW in home runs (22).
• Fresno State ranks third in the MW in RBIs (155), runs (170) and walks (87).
• Fresno State shares the lead in the MW with only 12 home runs allowed.
• Fresno State ranks third in the MW with 135 strikeouts.
• Fresno State sophomore Morgan Howe ranks 24th in the nation (4th in MW) with a .470 batting average and 29th in the country (3rd in MW) with a .544 on-base percentage.
• Last weekend, Howe went 6-for-10 (.600) with a home run, double, four RBIs, four runs and two walks. She also had a 1.000 slugging percentage and .667 on-base percentage.
• Howe and senior Kierra Willis have each reached base safely in the last eight games and are on six-game hitting streaks.
• Fresno State sophomore pitcher Kamalani Dung shares the MW lead with 13 wins, ranks third in strikeouts (88) and fifth in opposing batting average (.234).
• Last weekend, Dung earned the decision in each game, going 2-1 with a 3.28 ERA.
• Fresno State senior Kierra Willis' 13 walks this season place her fourth on the Bulldogs' all-time walks list with 103. Willis is 12 walks away from the program record.

ABOUT THE ROADRUNNERS (4-16, 0-0 WAC)
CSU Bakersfield is under the direction of sixth-year head coach Crissy Buck-Ziegler. The Roadrunners went 1-2 against San Diego last weekend and have an RPI of 252. Bakersfield is 0-7 against teams with a top 100 RPI.

As a team, CSUB is batting .238 with a 5.35 ERA. Offensively, the Runners are led by junior Julea Cavazos (.286 BA, 9 RBI, 10 R) and sophomore Nadia Amezcua (.362 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 12 R).

The Roadrunner pitching staff is led by junior Summer Evans (4-5, 3.82 ERA), who has pitched five complete games, including a shutout, this season. Senior Lyndsay Klimenko (0-6, 6.21 ERA) has also seen significant time this year, starting eight games and recording 15 strikeouts.

2017 BULLDOG RANKINGS (USA Today/NFCA)
Preseason – #24
Feb. 14 – #21
Feb. 21 – RV
Feb. 28 – NR
March 7 – NR
March 14 – RV

2017 BULLDOGS IN NONCONFERENCE (17-9)
A-Sun - 1-1
Big 12 - 0-1
Big Sky - 2-0
Big Ten - 4-2
Big West - 5-1
Pac-12 - 3-2
SEC - 0-1
WCC - 2-1

2017 BULLDOGS VS RANKED TEAMS
#9 Oregon (L, 4-1 – 2/10/17)
#12 Minnesota (L, 9-2 – 2/24/17)
#8 Washington (L, 5-1 – 3/4/17)
#25 BYU (W, 6-1 – 3/10/17)
#25 BYU (L, 8-6 – 3/11/17)

MOUNTAIN WEST RPI RANKINGS (3/20/17)
30 - Fresno State
58 - San Diego State
82 - Colorado State
92 - San Jose State
98 - Boise State
104 - Utah State
107 - UNLV
135 - Nevada
164 - New Mexico

BULLDOGS WIN FIRST MW SERIES OF THE SEASON
Last weekend, Fresno State defeated San Diego State in two out of three games in its first MW series of the year. The Bulldogs recorded double-digit hits in each game.

On Friday, Fresno State won 10-7, hitting four home runs in the process. On Saturday, the Bulldogs won 7-6 in a back-and-forth game that saw three lead changes. On Sunday, Fresno State fell 6-3 while the Bulldogs sent three pitchers into the circle.

The Bulldogs and Aztecs were picked to finish first and second, respectively, in the MW Preseason Coaches' Poll.

HOWE SOLIDIFYING HER ROLE IN RIGHT FIELD AND AT THE PLATE
In 2016, Morgan Howe's freshman year, she was the team's go-to pinch hitter, batting .500 (11-for-22) when called upon in 29 games. Throughout that season, Howe played in 46 games total, starting 15, and hit .371 (26-for-70) with a home run, six doubles and 23 RBIs.

This year, Howe has earned the starting role in right field, starting 24 of 29 games, and has garnered a .470 batting average (31-for-66), which currently ranks fourth in the MW. She has added two home runs, three doubles, two triples and 22 RBIs.

Last weekend, Howe hit .600 (6-for-10) with a home run, double, four RBIs, four runs and two walks. She also recorded a 1.000 slugging percentage and a .667 on-base percentage.

DUNG AND MCHELLON LOOK TO BE 1-2 PUNCH IN MW PLAY
Sophomore Kamalani Dung (13-6, 2.22 ERA) and junior transfer Savannah McHellon (3-3, 3.66 ERA) look to take on MW competition as a 1-2 punch for the Bulldogs. Dung has pitched 11 complete games, including four shutouts and a no-hitter, this season, while McHellon has started 10 and went 2-0 with a 0.91 ERA in the Fresno State Invitational.

Dung has emerged as Fresno State's No. 1 pitcher, following the departure of MW Pitcher of the Year Jill Compton. Last season, Dung went 8-1 with a 4.41 ERA and 59 strikeouts. So far this year, she has recorded 88 strikeouts in 107.0 innings.

EXTRA BASES CALL TO HERNANDEZ
Sophomore Vanessa Hernandez has a team-high 13 extra-base hits so far this year, eclipsing her total of eight in 52 games last year. Hernandez, who has taken the reins in center field for the Bulldogs, has hit four home runs, eight doubles and a triple.

Last Friday, Hernandez hit two home runs against San Diego State, propelling the Bulldogs to a 10-7 victory.

WILLIS IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Senior Kierra Willis has emerged in some top 10 lists in the Fresno State record book. Among the greats in the Bulldogs' program history, Willis ranks fourth all-time in slugging percentage (.566) and walks (103), sixth in triples (16) and eighth in home runs (22).

FRESNO STATE INVITATIONAL
Fresno State went 4-1 in the Fresno State Invitational March 10-12 with wins against No. 25 BYU (6-1), Oregon State (4-1, 6-2) and Sacramento State (5-2). The Bulldogs fell to No. 25 BYU 8-6 in eight innings.

Over the weekend, McHellon went 2-0 with a 0.91 ERA and notched her first save of the season. She struck out five batters in her three appearances while allowing eight hits and three walks in 15.1 innings. At the plate, McHellon had four hits, including a double, and drove in five runs.

Willis hit her second and third home runs of the season and drove in five runs as well. Hernandez knocked her second ball over the fence and notched four RBIs, while Rivers had a team-high seven hits over the five games, recording five runs and five RBIs.

JUDI GARMAN CLASSIC
Fresno State went 3-2 at the Judi Garman Classic March 2-4 with wins against Long Beach State (4-2), Iowa (11-7) and Indiana (4-3). The Bulldogs fell to No. 8 Washington (5-1) and Northwestern (5-3).

Over the weekend, Dung went 2-1 with a 1.98 ERA and picked up her first save of the season. She struck out a season-high 10 batters against LBSU on March 2 and notched her career-high ninth victory against Indiana on March 3.

The Bulldogs' extra-inning game against LBSU was their third of the season and in their victory over Iowa, scored in double digits for the fifth time this year.

Against Northwestern, freshman Schuylar Broussard hit her first collegiate home run, while sophomore Vanessa Hernandez knocked her first one out this year. Junior Savannah McHellon's home run against Washington was the only hit for the Bulldogs in the competition.

BULLDOG CLASSIC
Fresno State went 4-2 in the Bulldog Classic Feb. 23-26 with wins against Cal Poly (3-2), UC Davis (3-0, 7-3) and Idaho State (11-6). The Bulldogs fell to now-No. 10 and undefeated Minnesota (9-2) and Cal Poly (2-0).

Over the weekend, Dung went 2-1 with a 0.95 ERA, a .215 opposing batting average and notched 12 strikeouts in 22.0 innings pitched. She came close to a perfect game in Feb. 25's contest against UC Davis, as the first 14 batters were retired and she allowed only two hits with no walks in her fourth shutout of the season.

The Bulldogs' competition on Feb. 23 against Cal Poly went into extra innings and Castellon notched her first walk-off double in the 3-2 victory over eight innings.

Freshman Maddi Hackbarth hit her first collegiate grand slam on Feb. 23 against Idaho State, the first grand slam for a Bulldog since Dominique Jackson on April 30, 2016, and the 10th at home since 1991.

Freshman pitcher Samantha Mejia notched the complete-game victory on Feb. 26 against UC Davis in her first collegiate start. She allowed two earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts.

PUERTO VALLARTA COLLEGE CHALLENGE
Fresno State participated in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Mexico Feb. 23-25, going 2-3 in the tournament and landing three players on the all-tournament team: Dung, Rohleder and Willis. The Bulldogs defeated Florida Gulf Coast, 9-0, and Cal State Fullerton, 12-11, while falling to Mississippi State, 4-1, FGCU, 4-3, and Texas Tech, 9-6.

The Bulldogs played in their first extra-innings game of the season against Cal State Fullerton, defeating the Titans on a walk-off double by Hernandez in the eighth.

Dung went 2-2 over the weekend, including her first collegiate no-hitter against FGCU on Feb. 24, and held opponents to a .208 batting average. Dung, who became the 21st Bulldog pitcher to throw a no-hitter and the first since Jill Compton on March 6, 2015, notched the 73rd in program history. She walked three and struck out six in the game.

Rohleder hit .429 (6-for-14) with four RBIs, five runs scored and three walks, while Willis went 5-for-10 (.500) from the plate with seven walks, three runs and an RBI.

ASU KAJIKAWA CLASSIC
Fresno State began its season with a 4-1 record at the Arizona State Kajikawa Classic Feb. 10-12. The Bulldogs shut out Indiana, 2-0, and Purdue, 4-0, and defeated Stanford 24-8. The 'Dogs' first loss came to now-No. 4 Oregon, 4-1.

The Bulldogs broke the program record for RBIs in a game with 23 against Stanford and tied the records for runs (24) and total bases (40). Rohleder had a stellar showing in the game, going 5-for-5 and coming a double short of hitting for the cycle. She also scored five runs and knocked in three.

Dung went 3-0 and recorded the first two shutouts of her career in the tournament, while holding opponents to a .155 batting average and notching 15 strikeouts in 17.0 innings.

McHellon was named Mountain West Player of the Week following the tournament after hitting .615 (8-for-13) with two home runs, eight RBIs and a 1.154 slugging percentage.

COVERAGE
Fresno State Athletics strives to meet the needs of Bulldog fans around the country by providing several outlets to follow the 'Dogs' 2017 journey. Stay up-to-date with the latest news via Twitter (@FresnoStateSB), Facebook (Fresno State Softball), Instagram (@fresnostatesoftball) and Snapchat (FSAthletics). A full recap and final results can be found at GoBulldogs.com following each competition.

Select Bulldog home games will also be broadcast live on 790 AM ESPN2 Radio, as well as streamed live on the Mountain West Network.

MARGIE WRIGHT DIAMOND SEASON TICKETS
Fans can purchase season tickets starting at $65 for general admission ($39 for youth/seniors), along with the option to reserve either upper ($78) or lower ($130) deck seating. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Bulldog Ticket Office, online at GoBulldogs.com or over the phone at 559-278-3647.

MARGIE WRIGHT DIAMOND MINI PLANS
Fans can purchase 6-, 8- and 10-game flex plans beginning at $54, $64 and $70, respectively.

MARGIE WRIGHT DIAMOND SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
Single-game tickets start at $7 for adults and $5 for youth/seniors.

"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.