Bulldogs fall 8-0 to Cal in five innings

Friday, April 14

Berkeley, Calif.

4 p.m. PT

Fresno State

25-16

Cal

24-13

Fresno State

California

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs fall 8-0 to Cal in five innings

4/14/2017 6:12:00 PM | Softball

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Fresno State Softball fell victim to the mercy rule for the first time this season

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

BERKELEY, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team fell victim to the mercy rule for the first time this season as California defeated the Bulldogs 8-0 in five innings on Friday afternoon at Levine-Fricke Field in Berkeley, Calif. This was Fresno State's first trip to Cal in 26 years.

The 'Dogs (25-16, 5-6 MW) were shut out for the third time this year and fall to 3-3 against Pac-12 opponents this season. Cal (24-13, 3-8 Pac-12) put together 10 hits, including a two-run home run, and saw its ace, Zoe Conley, strike out six batters and allow just five base runners.

In each of the five innings, a Bulldog reached base with two outs, but none were able to advance past first. Junior Savannah McHellon (5-6, 4.04 ERA) began the game in the circle for the Bulldogs and allowed five runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk through 1.2 innings and freshman Samantha Mejia finished the game for the 'Dogs, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk.

Senior Malia Rivers and freshman Miranda Rohleder notched hits for the Bulldogs, while senior Lindsey Willmon and sophomores Morgan Howe and Vanessa Hernandez each took free passes.

Cal struck in the first inning after the Bears hit a leadoff double, the runner advanced on a fielder's choice, and both runs scored on a single to right center to give them a 2-0 lead. A walk, error, single and triple led to another three runs for Cal, increasing the Bears' lead to 5-0 in the second. Mejia then relieved McHellon in the circle for the Bulldogs with two outs and got them out of the inning.

Fresno State notched its first hit of the game in the third inning when Rivers hit a two-out infield single, and Cal went down in order for the first time in the bottom half. The Bears then hit a two-run home run in the fourth to increase their lead to 7-0. Rohleder came up to the plate in the fifth with two outs and singled to left for the Bulldogs' second hit of the game. In the bottom of the fifth, Cal loaded up the bases and scored the game-winning run on a bunt single.

What's next?
Fresno State faces Cal again on Saturday at 1 p.m. PT and heads to UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

"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.