Bulldogs host Pacific in mid-week contest

Wednesday, March 29

Fresno, Calif.

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

Pacific

Bulldogs host Pacific in mid-week contest

3/28/2017 11:33:00 AM | Softball

Fresno State Game Notes (PDF)

Fresno State Softball faces the Tigers on Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT at Margie Wright Diamond

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

Fresno State (22-11, 4-2 MW) vs. Pacific (17-18, 0-0 WCC)
Fresno, Calif. – Margie Wright Diamond

Game 34: Wednesday, March 29 – 6 p.m. PT
- TV: None
- Radio: 790 AM ESPN2
- Live Stats: Click Here
- Ticket promotion: Fans that donate gently-used business or professional clothing receive free admission

Series history: Fresno State leads 82-23-1
Last meeting: Fresno State 4, Pacific 0 (4/20/16 – Stockton, Calif.)
Last meeting in Fresno: Fresno State 1, Pacific 0 (3/12/15)
Last Pacific win: Pacific 5, Fresno State 3 (3/13/14 – Fresno, Calif.)

BULLDOGS HOST PACIFIC IN MID-WEEK CONTEST
After winning its second Mountain West series of the season last weekend, the first-place Fresno State softball team returns to nonconference play as the Bulldogs welcome the Pacific Tigers to Margie Wright Diamond on Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT.

The teams will meet for the 107th time in Fresno State's 40-year history, with the Bulldogs owning the all-time record 82-23-1. The only other opponent the 'Dogs have seen more often is Cal (110), whom Fresno State will play twice in April.

Last season, Fresno State defeated Pacific 4-0 on April 20 in Stockton, Calif. The Tigers' last win in the series came in a 5-3 victory on March 13, 2014, in Fresno. The Bulldogs have won four of the last five games against Pacific, including three straight. Among common opponents this season, Fresno State is 4-2, while Pacific is 4-5.

The 'Dogs are 18-9 in nonconference play this year and are 2-1 against the West Coast Conference, including wins against No. 25-ranked BYU and San Diego, with the loss coming from BYU.

BULLDOG BITES
• Fresno State has a MW-best RPI of 33. The MW has six teams in the top 100 RPI.
• Fresno State is tied for first place in the MW and has a MW-best 22 wins.
• Fresno State leads the all-time series against Pacific 82-23-1.
• Fresno State has won 4 of the last 5 games between the 'Dogs and Tigers, including 3 straight.
• Fresno State is 18-9 in nonconference play this season and 2-1 against the WCC.
• Fresno State senior Kierra Willis' 21 walks this season have her tied for second on the Bulldogs' all-time walks list with 111. Willis is four walks away from owning the program record. She ranks second in the MW in walks and triples (3). In MW games only, she ranks second in batting average (.533) and on-base percentage (.682) and leads in walks (7).
• Fresno State leads the MW in runs scored (201), RBIs (185), triples (12) and walks (116). In MW games only, the Bulldogs lead in home runs (7) and walks (30).
• Fresno State sophomore Vanessa Hernandez ranks second in the MW in RBIs (31) and doubles (9). In MW games only, she leads in slugging percentage (1.071), home runs (3), RBIs (10) and total bases (15).
• Fresno State sophomore pitcher Kamalani Dung shares the MW lead with 14 wins and 26 batters struck out looking. She also ranks third in strikeouts (101). In MW games only, she leads in wins (3) and ERA (1.70).
• Fresno State sophomore Morgan Howe ranks third in the MW in on-base percentage (.516) and fourth in batting average (.438).
• Fresno State has won both of its MW series this season 2-1 (San Diego St. and Boise St.).
• Fresno State has won its last 16 MW series, dating back to 2015.
• Last Friday, Fresno State hit grand slams in consecutive innings for the first time in program history. It was the third time that the Bulldogs have hit two grand slams in the same game.
• Fresno State has tied the program record with four grand slams this season after doing so during the 2009 and 2016 seasons (M. Hackbarth, Hernandez, Howe, McHellon).
• Fresno State is 12-11 vs. top 100 RPI teams and is 10-0 vs. teams below 100.
• Fresno State is 11-4 at home this season.
• Fresno State is 11-1 when scoring in the first inning.
• Fresno State is 11-2 when the Bulldogs score first.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (17-18, 0-0 WCC)
Pacific is under the direction of 25th-year head coach Brian Kolze and comes into the game with an RPI of 130. Last weekend, Pacific went 3-2 at the UCLA/UC Riverside Tournament, defeating UMKC twice and Dartmouth, while falling to UC Riverside twice.

Senior utility player Cassidy Gustafson was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week on Monday after batting .304 in seven games last week, notching three home runs, including a grand slam, nine RBIs and seven runs scored.

As a team, the Tigers are batting .267 with a 3.53 ERA. The pitching staff has seen most of its innings from junior Marissa Young (5-4, 2.34 ERA) and freshman Hailey Reed (4-3, 1.19 ERA). Leading the offense is Gustafson (.267 BA, 7 HR, 25 RBI) and junior Sydney Lahners (.297 BA, 5 HR, 25 RBI).

CONSISTENCY FROM HERNANDEZ A MAJOR FACTOR FOR BULLDOGS
Sophomore outfielder Vanessa Hernandez has been a major factor in the Bulldogs' success this season, leading the team with 15 extra-base hits and reaching base safely in 27 of 33 games, including the last nine. She is hitting .295 this year with five home runs, nine doubles, a triple and 31 RBIs, while scoring 24 times.

Last weekend against Boise State, she posted a .500 batting average, hit a grand slam on Friday, and notched six RBIs and five walks in the three MW games. She also recorded a 1.250 slugging percentage and .700 on-base percentage.

DUNG BACK IN HER GROOVE AGAINST BOISE STATE
After a rocky start against Bakersfield last Tuesday, sophomore pitcher Kamalani Dung was back in her groove against Boise State last weekend, posting a 0.50 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14 innings against the Broncos. On Friday, she threw a three-hit shutout that ended by mercy rule in five innings and on Sunday, went the full nine innings, a career-high, in a 2-1 extra-innings loss. Over the weekend, she allowed only three walks and a .143 opposing batting average.

WILLIS LEADING THE BULLDOGS INTO MW PLAY
Senior outfielder Kierra Willis is providing leadership to the Bulldogs through the first six games of conference play, hitting .533 (8-for-15) with seven walks and four runs scored. She leads the team in those games with a .682 on-base percentage and is slugging .733.

With seven walks over the last three games, Willis is closing in on Fresno State's program record for career walks. With 111, she is currently tied for second on the list with Lindsay Fossatti (1999-2002) and is four away from passing Fresno State's current leader, Christina Clark (2003-06).

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

MOUNTAIN WEST RPI RANKINGS (3/27/17)
33 - Fresno State
65 - San Diego State
77 - Colorado State
84 - Boise State
85 - San Jose State
88 - Utah State
112 - UNLV
123 - Nevada
143 - New Mexico

2017 BULLDOGS IN NONCONFERENCE (18-9)
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
WAC - 1-0
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)

FRESNO STATE TAKES SECOND MW SERIES, DEFEATS BOISE STATE
The Bulldogs won a MW series with Friday and Saturday wins for the second time of the season after defeating Boise State 9-0 in five innings on Friday and 8-2 on Saturday. Fresno State couldn't complete the sweep, falling 2-1 in nine innings on Sunday.

Over the three-game span, the Bulldogs were walked 24 times, while the Broncos took only three free passes. Fresno State had three home runs, including two grand slams (McHellon and Hernandez) and an inside-the-park home run. Pitching was a highlight for the 'Dogs, allowing only two earned runs and 12 hits over 21 innings and striking out 17.

On Friday, the Bulldogs hit grand slams in the first and second innings, the first time in program history that Fresno State has hit grand slams in consecutive innings.

BULLDOGS RALLY TO DEFEAT BAKERSFIELD, 13-11
Fresno State was down by seven in the first inning and came back to defeat the Roadrunners on March 21, using four pitchers and needing a grand slam from Howe in the process. Senior Malia Rivers had a career-high four hits in the game while junior transfer Sarah Santana earned the victory in her first appearance of the season.

BULLDOGS WIN FIRST MW SERIES OF THE SEASON
Fresno State defeated San Diego State in two out of three games in its first MW series of the year March 17-19. The Bulldogs recorded double-digit hits in each game.

On March 17, Fresno State won 10-7, hitting four home runs in the process. On March 18, the Bulldogs won 7-6 in a back-and-forth game that saw three lead changes. On March 19, 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.

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.