Bulldogs look for fortune in Las Vegas in series against Rebels

Friday, April 28

Las Vegas, Nev.

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

UNLV

Bulldogs look for fortune in Las Vegas in series against Rebels

4/27/2017 10:38:00 AM | Softball

Fresno State Game Notes (PDF)MW Weekly Release and Stats (PDF)

Fresno State Softball faces UNLV at 6 p.m. PT on Friday, 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

Fresno State (26-20, 6-8 MW) at UNLV (23-20, 6-9 MW)
Las Vegas, Nev. – Eller Media Stadium

Game 47: Friday, April 28 – 6 p.m. PT
  - TV: None
- Radio: None
- Live Stats: Click Here

Game 48: Saturday, April 29 – 4 p.m. PT
  - TV: None
- Radio: None
- Live Stats: Click Here

Game 49: Sunday, April 30 – Noon PT
  - TV: None
- Radio: None
- Live Stats: Click Here

Series History
All-time record: Fresno State leads 55-15
Last year: Fresno State won 2 of 3 in Fresno (4-1, 6-2, 7-10)
Last time in Las Vegas (2015): Fresno State swept series (10-2, 15-7, 12-4)

BULLDOGS LOOK FOR FORTUNE IN LAS VEGAS IN SERIES AGAINST REBELS
Fresno State head softball coach Linda Garza returns to her alma mater this weekend as the Bulldogs take on the Runnin' Rebels from UNLV at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas in a three-game Mountain West series Friday through Sunday. This is the first time the teams will meet since the Rebels spoiled the Bulldogs' perfect 22-0 conference record last year in Fresno State's regular-season finale.

The 'Dogs look to bounce back after dropping their last three MW series to Nevada, Utah State and San Jose State. History is in the Bulldogs' favor, though, as they lead the all-time series against the Rebels 55-15. However, Fresno State is 3-6 in true road games this season, including 2-3 in conference play.

The Bulldogs have shown that offense is paramount to success this year, as they are 18-2 when they score five runs or more and are 8-18 when scoring four or fewer. Over her last six appearances, sophomore pitcher Kamalani Dung has given up just 10 runs and 25 hits over 40 innings pitched for a 1.75 ERA, but has gone 2-4 as the team has averaged just 2.5 runs per game over that span. Dung currently leads the MW in shutouts (6) and ranks second in wins (17) and strikeouts (153).

Throughout MW play, sophomore Morgan Howe has led the team with a .465 batting average and .549 on-base percentage, while senior Kierra Willis has hit .378 with a .549 on-base percentage and has accumulated 14 walks in the 14 games. Willis' 49 career walks in MW games ranks second-best in MW history. Senior Malia Rivers has reached base safely in 12 of 14 games, notching a .362 batting average, while senior Lindsey Willmon leads the Bulldogs with four home runs during that span, including two in the San Jose State series.

Freshman Haley Fuller, who has started the last seven games at third base, made an impact over the weekend, going 2-for-5 with three walks and two runs scored.

ABOUT THE REBELS
UNLV is under the direction of fifth-year head coach Lisa Dodd. Last weekend, the Rebels dropped two of three to Colorado State. As a team offensively, UNLV ranks last in the conference in slugging percentage (.353), on-base percentage (.335), runs (168), RBIs (153), doubles (35), triples (4), home runs (16) and total bases (399). The Rebels' pitching staff has allowed the most hits (358) among MW members.

Senior Brianna Gatlin (.352 BA, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 20 BB) and junior Janine Petmecky (.318 BA, 2 HR, 26 RBI) have been consistent on the offensive side for the Rebels and senior Morgan Ettinger (12-12, 3.31 ERA) has pitched the majority of the games for UNLV. Ettinger's 89 strikeouts rank fourth in the conference.

BULLDOG BITES HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND
- Fresno State has an RPI of 53. The Bulldogs are 9-4 vs. teams with an RPI between 101-150.
- UNLV has an RPI of 117. The Rebels are 8-7 vs. teams with an RPI between 50-100.
- Fresno State is 55-15 all-time against UNLV and has won the last three series between the teams.
- Fresno State took two of three from UNLV last year in Fresno (4-1, 6-2, 7-10).
- In 2016, Fresno State was 22-0 in MW play until UNLV spoiled a perfect conference record by defeating the Bulldogs 10-7 in their final regular-season game.
- This year, Fresno State has won its MW series against San Diego State and Boise State, but has dropped its last three to Nevada, Utah State and San Jose State.
- Fresno State leads the MW in triples (14) and walks (167). The Bulldogs rank second in runs (245) and RBIs (222) and third in home runs (34) and total bases (523).
- Fresno State pitchers rank third in the MW in ERA (3.19) and strikeouts (219).
- Fresno State sophomore outfielder Morgan Howe ranks second in the MW in on-base percentage (.511) and third in batting average (.425). She has struck out just 12 times and leads the team with 14 multi-hit games. Among those in the NCAA, her BA ranks 30th and OBP ranks 39th.
- Fresno State sophomore pitcher Kamalani Dung leads the MW with six shutouts and 176.1 innings pitched. She ranks second in wins (17), strikeouts (153) and opposing batting average (.216), while her 2.26 ERA is third-best in the conference.
- Fresno State senior outfielder Kierra Willis leads the MW with 33 walks this season and owns Fresno State's all-time walks record with 123, which ranks fourth-best in MW history. Her 49 career walks in MW play rank second-best in MW history.
- Willis is climbing Fresno State's record books in multiple career categories, including batting average, runs, triples, home runs, slugging percentage and RBIs.
- Fresno State junior utility Savannah McHellon ranks fifth in the MW with eight home runs and 39 RBIs.
- Fresno State senior Malia Rivers leads the team with 10 stolen bases, which ranks ninth in the MW.
- Rivers ranks fourth in program history with 40 career stolen bases and is just outside the top 10 in career batting average (.343).
- Fresno State senior utility Lindsey Willmon ranks fifth in the MW with 33 runs and has the third-best career slugging percentage (.581) in Fresno State history.
- Fresno State sophomore Vanessa Hernandez ranks sixth in the MW with 10 doubles and leads the team with 16 extra-base hits.
- Fresno State is 3-6 in true road games this season.
- Fresno State is 13-1 when scoring in the first inning.
- Fresno State is 14-5 when the Bulldogs score first.
- Fresno State is 18-2 when scoring five runs or more.

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
April 4 - NR
April 11 - NR
April 18 - NR
April 25 - NR

2017 FRESNO STATE
RPI RANKINGS
March 20 - 30
March 27 - 33
April 3 - 40
April 10 - 42
April 17 - 46
April 24 - 53

MOUNTAIN WEST RPI RANKINGS (4/24/17)
46 - San Diego State
53 - Fresno State
63 - Utah State
65 - San Jose State
78 - Colorado State
100 - Boise State
102 - Nevada
117 - UNLV
136 - New Mexico

2017 BULLDOGS IN NONCONFERENCE (20-12)
A-Sun - 1-1
Big 12 - 0-1
Big Sky - 2-0
Big Ten - 4-2
Big West - 5-2
Pac-12 - 3-4
SEC - 0-1
WAC - 1-0
WCC - 4-1

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)

BULLDOGS FALL IN TWO OF THREE TO SAN JOSE STATE
Last weekend, Fresno State defeated San Jose State on Friday, 8-2, but fell on Saturday, 4-3, and Sunday, 9-3. On Friday, the Bulldogs scored their most runs since recording nine against Nevada on March 31. Dung threw her 20th complete game of the season and allowed three hits or less in a start for the 13th time this year. Willmon led the Bulldogs offensively with a two-run home run.

On Saturday, Dung relieved Mejia in the circle with no outs in the first and pitched the rest of the game, while Rivers led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a run. On Sunday, McHellon, Mejia and Santana each made an appearance in the circle and allowed nine runs on 12 hits and two walks. Willmon notched a solo home run in the game.

BULLDOGS WRAPPED UP NONCONFERENCE PLAY IN SANTA BARBARA
Fresno State sophomore pitcher Kamalani Dung tied her season-high with 10 strikeouts and allowed only four hits through the first six innings, but the Gauchos scored twice in the final frame to win 2-1 on April 19. Junior transfer Savannah McHellon knocked in the Bulldogs' lone run in the top of the fifth on a pinch-hit single up the middle.

BULLDOGS SHUT OUT SANTA CLARA, DROP TWO AT CAL
Fresno State began its spring break with a 2-0 shutout at Santa Clara on April 13. Sophomore pitcher Kamalani Dung recorded her MW-best sixth shutout of the year and allowed just one hit in the game. On April 14 at Cal, the Bulldogs fell victim to the mercy rule for the first time of the year when the Bears came out ahead 8-0 in five innings. On April 15, the Bulldogs held a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh until Cal came through and scored two runs to complete the sweep with a 2-1 victory.

BULLDOGS GET SWEPT BY UTAH STATE IN DOUBLEHEADER
Fresno State fell to Utah State 1-0 and 7-4 in a MW doubleheader on April 7, marking the first time since 2012 that the Bulldogs were swept in a conference series. Howe and Willis each recorded home runs in the second game of the day.

BULLDOGS DROP MW SERIES TO NEVADA
Fresno State defeated Nevada with a convincing 9-1 victory in six innings on March 31, but fell 8-4 on April 1 and 7-4 on April 2. Willmon hit a walk-off three-run home run on Friday and McHellon hit her own three-run home run in the game and added a solo shot on Saturday. Willis became Fresno State's all-time walks leader in the series.

BULLDOGS OUTLAST PACIFIC, 5-4
McHellon hit a three-run home run in the first inning and earned her fifth victory in the circle, while sophomore Kamalani Dung closed out the last two innings to notch her second save of the year on March 29. The Bulldogs saw five different players get a hit and score a run, while the team walked seven times.

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 March 24 and 8-2 on March 25. Fresno State couldn't complete the sweep, falling 2-1 in nine innings on March 26.

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 March 24, 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 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.