Bulldogs outlasted by Hawaii, 7-6, in tournament finale

Saturday, February 9

Honolulu, Hawaii

7 P.M. PT

Fresno State

3-2

Hawaii

4-1

Fresno State

Hawaii

Bulldogs outlasted by Hawaii, 7-6, in tournament finale

2/10/2019 12:24:00 AM | Softball

Box Score Highlights vs. Hawaii Postgame Interview: Coach Garza

By: Andrew Tomsky / Assistant Director of Communications

HONOLULU – Fresno State battled back from an early 5-0 deficit to draw even at 5-5, but Hawaii's Callee Heen hit a go-ahead 2-run home run in the bottom of the fifth and the Rainbow Wahine were able to hold on for a 7-6 victory to complete play in the Hawaii Paradise Classic.

Fresno State (3-2) got another fantastic performance by pitcher Danielle East in relief as the sophomore allowed just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts in five innings pitched, but the one hit she allowed ended up being the game winning home run. The Bulldogs scored one run in the seventh and had the potential tying run at second base but the Rainbows were able to finish the win.

Hayleigh Galvan was 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs and Rachel Minogue went 2-for-4 with an RBI as the pair were both named to the Hawaii Paradise Classic All-Tournament team. McKenzie Wilson, Haley Fuller, and Kaitlyn Jennings also tallied two hits on Saturday as the 'Dogs tallied 11 hits and drew a pair of walks in the game.

How it Happened
Hawaii jumped out early with five runs in the bottom of the first, three of which scored before an out was recorded. The inning started with a two singles and a walk and Danielle lung recorded a strikeout but the ball was dropped and the throw to first went in to right field to bring in two more runs. Two more Hawaii singles drove in two more to give the home team a big early lead.

East set down the Rainbows in order in the second and in the top of the third inning the Bulldogs quickly loaded the bases with consecutive singles from Fuller, Kelcey Carrasco, and Jennings. Hawaii got a strikeout before a fielding error allowed a run to come in from third. Galvan then battled for a seven-pitch walk to bring in Carrasco from third and Minogue had an RBI ground out to plate a third Bulldog run.

The 'Dogs were able to pull even in the top of the fifth. Jennings and Wilson had singles and were on the corners with one out when they were able to pull off a double steal with Jennings coming in from third. Galvan followed with a line single to center to tie the game, and Minogue added a single after that but the runners would be left at second and third.

Hawaii had an immediate answer as Cheeks Ramos opened the bottom of the fifth with a walk and Heen unloaded a long home run to right. In the seventh, Wilson and Galvan led off with singles and two fly outs followed, though Vanessa Hernandez nearly hit a go-ahead home run on a deep drive to the warning track in left center. Vanessa M. Hernandez drew a walk and a wild pitch brought in Wilson from third, but Hawaii's Emily Klee was able to strand the tying run at second with a game-ending strikeout.

Notable

No. 2/1 UCLA was a perfect 5-0 in the tournament while Hawaii went 4-1, Fresno State was 3-2, UT Arlington went 2-3, Saint Mary's was 1-4, and Georgia State was 0-5.
Galvan was 8-for-17 (.471) with a .526 on-base percentage with nine RBIs over five games in Hawaii.
Minogue hit 7-for-17 (.412) with a .474 on base percentage, four RBIs, and four runs scored.
East was the pitcher of record in four of the five Fresno State games in Hawaii despite making only one start. In her three relief appearances she threw 11.0 innings and had a 1.27 ERA allowing just five hits, one walk, and two earned runs.
Fresno State and Hawaii met for the 89^th time as they used to be conference rivals in the WAC, but Saturday's game was the first meeting between the teams since the 'Dogs left the WAC after the 2012 season.

Up Next
Fresno State will take part in the Stacy Winsberg Invitational next weekend. The 'Dogs will play Oregon State and Long Beach State in Long Beach on Friday before facing Cal Poly, UCLA, and UC Riverside next Saturday and Sunday in Los Angeles.

"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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