Patience at the plate clinches series against Boise State in 8-2 victory

Saturday, March 25

Fresno, Calif.

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

22-10, 0

Boise State

20-9, 0

Boise State

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Patience at the plate clinches series against Boise State in 8-2 victory

3/25/2017 9:09:00 PM | Softball

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Nine walks and five sacrifices paved the way for a Bulldog win on Saturday night

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The first-place Fresno State softball team clinched its second Mountain West series of the season after defeating Boise State, 8-2, on Saturday night at Margie Wright Diamond. The Bulldogs (22-10, 4-1 MW) walked nine times, for the second-straight night, and hit five sacrifices on their way to Fresno State's third straight series win against the Broncos (20-9, 2-3 MW).

"Sacrifice flies and a squeeze gave us momentum in a game where we couldn't get the ball to fall for hits," Fresno State head coach Linda Garza said. "It's always important to win a series, and now our job is to win on Sunday."

The 'Dogs, who lead the MW with four conference victories, have won seven of their last eight games and are on a three-game winning streak heading into the final game of the series. Fresno State has won its last 16 MW series, dating back to 2015.

Junior Savannah McHellon (4-3, 3.54 ERA) pitched her fourth complete game for the Bulldogs, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks. She also struck out five batters, two shy of her season-best.

The Bulldogs needed only three hits, including an inside-the-park home run by freshman Miranda Rohleder, to clinch the victory, the least amount in a win since a 3-2 extra-innings defeat of Cal Poly on Feb. 23.

Senior Malia Rivers, sophomore Vanessa Hernandez and Rohleder notched the hits for the 'Dogs, while Rohleder and junior Katie Castellon collected two RBIs apiece. Senior Kierra Willis recorded a team-high three walks, bringing her within six of the program record for career free passes. Willis has reached base safely in the last 11 games and Hernandez is on an eight-game hitting streak.

Junior Bronco Paige Reimann (4-3, 3.03 ERA) took the loss after allowing five runs on two hits and four walks in 1 2/3 innings pitched. Sophomore Rainey Dyreson (0-1, 7.87 ERA) also saw 1 2/3 innings of action and gave up three runs (two earned) on a hit and four walks. Freshman Kelsey Broadus (3-0, 1.98 ERA) pitched the final two-plus innings for Boise State, struck out three and allowed only one walk.

How it happened
The Broncos were the first to get on the scoreboard after a couple miscues by the Bulldogs in the first inning. The leadoff batter took a walk on an illegal pitch, advanced to second on an infield groundout, took third on a wild pitch, and scored on another illegal pitch.

The Bulldogs got things going in the second when they loaded the bases after McHellon and Willis led off the inning with back-to-back walks, followed by a single from Hernandez. Broussard then hit into a fielder's choice, scoring McHellon, however, Willis was able to score as well on a throwing error to home, giving the 'Dogs a 2-1 lead with no outs.

Castellon then came up to the plate, hit a sacrifice fly scoring Hernandez, and Rohleder followed up with an inside-the-park home run, increasing the Bulldog lead to 5-1 through two innings.

In the bottom of the third, Willis and Hernandez got things going with leadoff walks, both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Broussard and Wills scored on a sacrifice bunt by Castellon to add an insurance run.

For the third straight inning, the Bulldogs got the leadoff runner on base when Rivers slapped a single to right center and stole second in the fourth. Howe then reached first on an error and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Willmon came up to the plate and lined one to center, scoring Rivers on the sacrifice.

McHellon and Willis then took free passes to load the bases and Howe scored on a sacrifice fly by Hernandez, increasing the Bulldog lead to 8-1 through four innings.

In the bottom of the sixth, Willmon reached second on an error, junior Brooke Coates came in to pinch run, but the Bulldogs couldn't put the game away early.

What's next?
Fresno State faces Boise State on Sunday at 11 a.m. PT 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.