Bulldog rally falls short, ’Dogs drop game two against Nevada

Saturday, April 1

Fresno, Calif.

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

24-12, 5-3

Nevada

17-15, 3-5

Nevada

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldog rally falls short, ’Dogs drop game two against Nevada

4/1/2017 8:57:00 PM | Softball

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

Junior Savannah McHellon hit a home run in her third-straight game

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team scored two runs on four hits in the bottom of the seventh, but the Bulldogs' rally fell short as they dropped game two of their Mountain West series against Nevada, 8-4, on Saturday night at Margie Wright Diamond.

The 'Dogs (24-12, 5-3 MW) saw junior Savannah McHellon hit a home run in her third-straight game, sophomore Morgan Howe paced the Bulldogs with three hits, and freshman Miranda Rohleder led Fresno State with two RBIs.

"The first inning just got us in a jam," Fresno State head coach Linda Garza said. "We can't make a routine play, then we hit some batters. We got some walks and they had some timely hitting. I think we put the ball in play a few times and they made some great plays. However, when you're down six runs, it makes it difficult to come back. I think we have been in that situation throughout the season and we found ways to come back, however, it's not always going to work your way."

Nevada (17-15, 3-5 MW) took advantage of two Bulldog errors in the first inning to score six unearned runs to get things going. McHellon, who started the game in the circle, would get relieved by freshman Samantha Mejia after pitching two-thirds of an inning and allowing four hits and a walk, along with the six runs. The Wolf Pack added another in the second to increase their lead to 7-0.

The Bulldogs found the scoreboard in the bottom of the second after Howe singled through the right side, Broussard was hit by a pitch, Castellon walked, and Rohleder hit an RBI-single up the middle to score the Bulldogs' first run of the game. McHellon then hit a two-out solo shot to left field in the bottom of the third to bring the score to 7-2.

Nevada kept things going in the top of the fifth after a walk and two singles, taking an 8-2 lead, which would stay that way heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Fresno State got a rally going with four-straight singles, but was only able to tack on two runs.

Mejia finished the game allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in six and a third innings. The Pack's Kali Sargent threw the complete game, allowing four runs on 12 hits and three walks.

The Bulldogs stranded 13 runners on base, while the Wolf Pack left six.

What's next?
Fresno State continues its series against Nevada on Sunday at noon PT. All children receive free admission with a paid adult.

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