Bulldogs open MW play with 9-3 win over Colorado State

Friday, March 23

Fresno, Calif.

6:00 PM

Fresno State

16-13, 1-0

Colorado State

15-8, 2-2

Colorado State

Fresno State

Bulldogs open MW play with 9-3 win over Colorado State

3/23/2018 10:31:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Andrew Tomsky / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – After trailing 3-0 early in the game Fresno State scored nine unanswered runs backed by another phenomenal pitching performance in relief from Samantha Mejia for a 9-3 win over Colorado State on Friday night.

Playing its first MW conference game of the season, Fresno State (16-13, 1-0 MW) improved to 11-4 at home this season and won its conference opener for the fourth consecutive season. With three hit-by-pitches in the game the Bulldog hitters have already broken the single-season program record with 43 hit-by-pitches this year, topping the previous record of 42 set in 2009.

Colorado State (15-8, 2-2 MW) led 3-0 after two innings but was shut down by Mejia after that as the Bulldog sophomore did not allow a hit over four scoreless innings in relief. Rachel Minogue and Hayleigh Galvan both had two hits and both drove in three runs to lead the offensive surge by the 'Dogs.

How it Happened
Colorado State took an early lead in the top of the second as the Rams got two aboard with one away with a walk and a single before Danni Klein cleared the wall in left with a 3-run homer. In the bottom of the third Fresno State loaded the bases with two out and Minogue brought in two with a single to center with a third runner scoring on a fielding error. Vanessa Hernandez followed with a booming double to center to bring in Minogue and give the 'Dogs a 4-3 lead.

The Rams drew a pair of walks to open the top of the fourth when Mejia was summoned from the bullpen. A sacrifice and a walk loaded the bases but she got a strikeout and groundout to end the inning and maintain the 4-3 Bulldog lead.

Still trailing just 4-3, Colorado State loaded the bases with none out in the top of the 6^th after a walk, a Bulldog error, and another walk. With the potential tying run at third an no outs Mejia got a fielder's choice groundout, a soft pop up to short, and a groundout to escape the inning with the 'Dogs still in the lead.

Looking for some insurance runs in the bottom of the 6^th, Fresno State followed suit by loading the bases with no outs on two walks and a bunt single. One run scored on a Katie Castellon groundout and, after an intentional walk reloaded the bases, Galvan broke it open with a three-run double down the left field line. Fresno State made it a 9-3 lead as a Minogue double brought in pinch runner Aaliyah Cuevas.

Mejia needed just 11 pitches to set down the Rams in order in the top of the 7^th to close the win.

Notable

In the 'Dogs last game, against Cal Poly on Sunday, Mejia entered with the bases loaded and ended up throwing the final 4.2 innings and allowing just one unearned run. She earned the win in each of the last two Bulldog games allowing just one hit and one unearned run with six strikeouts over 8.2 innings pitched.
Colorado State entered the game leading the MW with a 2.44 team ERA and was second in the league hitting .313 as a team. On Friday the 'Dogs held CSU to a .167 batting average and gave them a 10.50 ERA.
Galvan has reached base in all 15 Fresno State home games this season and has a hit in 11 straight home games. She was 2-for-3 with a walk on Friday to raise her season on-base percentage to .527.
The Bulldogs tied and broke the single-season program record for hit-by-pitches in consecutive batters in the sixth inning as Schuylar Broussard was hit for the second time in the game and Hailee Rios was plunked as a pinch hitter.
Fresno State is 11-4 at home this season and has averaged 6.9 runs scored per game. The 'Dogs are hitting .317 with a 2.94 ERA at home and have outscored the opposition 103-50.

What's Next
Fresno State will celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the 1998 National Championship with a pregame ceremony on Saturday. Gates open early at 1 p.m. and fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 2:30 for the pregame festivities featuring several returning players as well as former head coach Margie Wright. First pitch in game two vs. Colorado State is scheduled for 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.

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Tuesday, September 09

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Monday, July 28

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Tuesday, July 08

Next Event

Colorado State

L, 0-4

Mar 24 (Sat)

3:00 PM

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Full Schedule

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Mejia, Samantha (3-4)

L: HUTTON, Bridgette (9-5)

Colorado State

Batting:

HR: KLEIN, Danni 1

RBI: KLEIN, Danni 3

SH: KLEIN, Danni 2

Base Running:

RUNS: KILCREASE, Madison 1 ; MCCORKHILL, Hannah 1 ; KLEIN, Danni 1

SB: KLEIN, Danni 1

Fresno State

Batting:

2B: Galvan, Hayleigh 1 ; Minogue, Rachel 1 ; Hernandez, Vanessa 1 ; Jennings, Kaitlyn 1

RBI: Castellon, Katie 1 ; Galvan, Hayleigh 3 ; Minogue, Rachel 3 ; Hernandez, Vanessa 1

SH: Jennings, Kaitlyn 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Rohleder, Miranda 2 ; LeeHong, Chase 1 ; Galvan, Hayleigh 1 ; Cuevas-Iñiguez, Aaliyah 1 ; Minogue, Rachel 1 ; Stevens, Dolly 1 ; Jennings, Kaitlyn 2