Bulldogs drop 2-1 heartbreaker to Cal

Saturday, April 15

Berkeley, Calif.

1 p.m. PT

Fresno State

25-17

Cal

25-13

Fresno State

California

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs drop 2-1 heartbreaker to Cal

4/15/2017 3:59:00 PM | Softball

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Cal scored two in the bottom of the seventh after a trio of Bulldog singles in the second led to Fresno State’s run

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

BERKELEY, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team held a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh until Cal strung together three walks and two singles to come out ahead 2-1 on Saturday at Levine-Fricke Field in Berkeley, Calif.

The Bulldogs (25-17, 5-6 MW) scored their run in the second after a trio of singles by senior Kierra Willis, sophomore Vanessa Hernandez and senior Lindsey Willmon. Sophomore pitcher Kamalani Dung threw her 18th complete game of the season and allowed only two hits heading into the final inning. Dung (16-10, 2.24 ERA) finished the game with five strikeouts and allowed two runs on four hits and six walks.

Fresno State fell to 20-11 in nonconference games, including 3-4 against Pac-12 opponents. The Bulldogs also fell to 19-2 when leading after six innings. Willis had a team-high two hits, marking her seventh multi-hit game of the season. Freshman Miranda Rohleder has reached base safely in the last five games, including hits in each game this week.

Cal (25-13, 3-8 Pac-12) threw their ace for the second game in a row in Zoe Conley, who allowed one run on seven hits and a walk while striking out five.

How it happened
The Bulldogs were unable to get a runner on base in the first inning, but Willis hit a leadoff single in the second, advanced to second base on an infield groundout and third on a single to left by Hernandez. Willmon then came up to the plate and hit an RBI-single through the right side to give Fresno State a 1-0 lead. Dung took that momentum from the offense and struck out the side in the bottom half.

The 'Dogs escaped danger in the third when the Bears got a runner to second, who attempted to score on a single up the middle, but Hernandez threw her out at the plate to end the inning. Fresno State followed up by getting two runners on base in the top of the fourth, but were unable to capitalize. Cal then got runners to second and third with one out, the Bulldogs got out of the inning unharmed.

Castellon notched an infield hit in the fourth, which was followed up with a single up the middle by Rohleder, but the Bulldogs couldn't get a runner home. In the top of the sixth, Willis led things off with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error, but was left stranded.

In the bottom of the seventh, Cal came up to the plate ready for a rally. The Bears put together a walk and single before two more walks tied up the game and a game-winning single put them over the top.

What's next?
Fresno State heads to UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday at 3 p.m. PT before returning home next weekend for a Mountain West series against San Jose State.

"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.