Bulldogs drop series to Wolf Pack, fall 7-4 on Sunday

Sunday, April 2

Fresno, Calif.

12 p.m. PT

Fresno State

24-13, 5-4

Nevada

18-15, 4-5

Nevada

Fresno State

Bulldogs drop series to Wolf Pack, fall 7-4 on Sunday

4/2/2017 3:06:00 PM | Softball

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Fresno State Softball is now 2-1 in Mountain West series this season

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team dropped its first Mountain West series of the season as the Bulldogs fell to Nevada 7-4 on Sunday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond. Fresno State (24-13, 5-4 MW) is now 2-1 in MW series this season after defeating both San Diego State and Boise State in two out of three games each.

"I am not here to make excuses, I just know that we have work to do," Fresno State head coach Linda Garza said. "We are talented, we just need to be more consistent with that talent showing up. We need to find a way to put runs on the board."

Four of the 'Dogs' eight hits were doubles and senior Kierra Willis recorded her 17th career triple, moving her into fifth place all-time at Fresno State. Willis has now reached base safely in 16 straight games.

Sophomore Kamalani Dung (15-8, 2.41 ERA) took the loss after pitching her 15th complete game of the season, allowing seven runs (five earned) on nine hits and two walks while striking out seven batters.

Senior Malia Rivers and sophomore Morgan Howe notched two hits apiece and each lead Fresno State with 11 multi-hit games, while four different Bulldogs recorded RBIs.

Nevada (18-15, 4-5 MW) took its first series from the Bulldogs since 2014. The Wolf Pack's McKenna Isenberg (10-8, 3.93 ERA) earned the win after allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out eight batters.

How it happened
Nevada struck first in the top of the third after Haley Burda reached base on a throwing error by freshman Miranda Rohleder, advanced to second on a single by Sienna Swain, was pinch run for by Sadaria McAlister, and both runners scored on a double by Erika Hansen. Hansen then scored when Nikki Orozco singled up the middle, giving the Wolf Pack a 3-0 lead.

The Bulldogs answered immediately in the bottom half on an RBI-triple by Willis, scoring junior Katie Castellon, who reached base on a single. The 'Dogs added another in the fourth after junior Savannah McHellon took a free pass, was pinch run for by senior Christina Rodriguez, and Howe hit an RBI-double to left field, bringing the score to 3-2 Nevada.

In the top of the fifth, the Pack loaded the bases with no outs and added a run on a sacrifice fly. Nevada then hit a three-run home run in the top of the seventh to take a 7-2 lead.

The Bulldogs came up in the bottom of the seventh to attempt a rally for the second straight game. Rivers singled and senior Lindsey Willmon knocked her home with a double to right and McHellon followed up with her own RBI-double to right, but that was all the Bulldogs could get going.

What's next?
Fresno State travels to Logan, Utah next weekend for its second conference road series of the season.

"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.