Howe, Willis homer as Bulldogs drop doubleheader at Utah State

Friday, April 7

Logan, Utah

12 p.m. PT

Fresno State

24-14, 5-5

Utah State

24-9, 7-3

Fresno State

Utah State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Howe, Willis homer as Bulldogs drop doubleheader at Utah State

4/7/2017 6:06:00 PM | Softball

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Game three will begin on either Saturday or Sunday, depending on weather

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

LOGAN, Utah – The Fresno State softball team dropped its doubleheader at Utah State on Friday afternoon at Johnson Field in Logan, Utah, falling 1-0 and 7-4. Game three is scheduled to start on either Saturday or Sunday, depending on weather.

This was the second straight Mountain West series loss for the Bulldogs (24-15, 5-6 MW) after opening up the season with series wins against San Diego State and Boise State, before dropping its series against Nevada last weekend.

In game one, Bulldog sophomore Kamalani Dung pitched a complete game and struck out six, while allowing one run on three hits and a walk. Freshman Miranda Rohleder and senior Malia Rivers recorded the Bulldogs' hits in the game. The Aggies won the game on a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the seventh.

In game two, Fresno State sophomore Morgan Howe went 2-for-3, including a two-run home run, and senior Kierra Willis went 2-for-3 with a solo shot. The Bulldogs owned a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth, but the Aggies scored seven unanswered runs to capture the victory.

Junior Savannah McHellon started the game in the circle for the 'Dogs and allowed six runs on five hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings. Freshman Samantha Mejia recorded the last two outs for the Bulldogs, but allowed a solo home run in the process.

Howe now leads the team with 13 multi-hit games, a .443 batting average, .526 on-base percentage and .649 slugging percentage this season. She also has eight multi-RBI games in 2017.

Willis' home run was the 23rd of her career, moving her into sole possession of eighth place on Fresno State's all-time home runs list. Her .569 career slugging percentage currently ranks fourth-best all-time at Fresno State.

Sophomore Vanessa Hernandez's double in game two marked her team-leading 16th extra-base hit of the season and freshman Haley Fuller recorded her first collegiate hit.

How it happened in game one
The Bulldogs attempted to get things started early after Rohleder led off the game with a walk, Rivers singled up the middle and senior Lindsey Willmon loaded the bases with a fielder's choice, but Utah State turned a double play and the 'Dogs were unable to score.

Fresno State didn't get another runner on base until Howe took a two-out free pass in the fourth, but the Bulldogs couldn't bring her home. In the sixth, Rohleder hit a leadoff single, advanced to second on a groundout, but was left stranded.

In the bottom of the seventh, with no score, Sarina Jaramillo came up to the plate with one out and hit a walk-off home run to seal the victory for Utah State.

Dung pitched the complete game for the Bulldogs, struck out six batters and allowed only three hits and a walk. Kellie White earned the win for the Aggies, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out five.

How it happened in game two
Similar to game one, Rohleder took a free pass to start off the game, but was left stranded at first. McHellon then took a leadoff walk in the second, but the Bulldogs couldn't bring her home.

The 'Dogs finally found the scoreboard in the third when Howe hit a two-run home run after Rivers took a walk and gave Fresno State a 2-0 lead.

Willis followed suit in the fourth and hit a solo home run to lead off the inning. Hernandez then doubled, advanced to third on a single by Fuller, and Utah State replaced starter April Brown with game one starter Kellie White in the circle. Hernandez then stole home to give the Bulldogs a 4-0 lead.

The Aggies answered in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run home run by Jaramillo and closed Fresno State's lead to 4-2. In the top of the fifth, Howe knocked a one-out single, but Willmon hit into a double play to end the half inning. Willis then led off the sixth with a single to left, but Hernandez hit into a double play.

Utah State came back up in the bottom of the sixth and scored four runs on three hits, including a three-run home run by Riley Plogger before Mejia relieved McHellon in the circle for the Bulldogs with one out. Mejia gave up a solo home run to Bailee Trapp and the Aggies finished the inning with a 7-4 lead.

The Bulldogs attempted to rally back in the seventh when Castellon hit a one-out single to left, but were unable to put together a comeback.

What's next?
The Fresno State softball team is scheduled to complete its series against Utah State on either Saturday or Sunday, depending on the weather. The Bulldogs will then head to Northern California to face Santa Clara and Cal next week.

"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.