Spartans outlast Bulldogs, 4-2, in game two

Saturday, March 23

Fresno, Calif.

3 P.M. PT

Fresno State

15-11, 0-5

San Jose State

22-9, 2-0

San Jose State

Fresno State

Spartans outlast Bulldogs, 4-2, in game two

3/23/2019 6:31:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Andrew Tomsky / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Freshman McKenzie Wilson had her third three-hit game of the year but San Jose State was able to fend off another Bulldog comeback bid and take the second game of the weekend series, 4-2, on Saturday at Margie Wright Diamond.

San Jose State (22-9, 2-0 MW) stayed red hot with its 12^th consecutive win and improved to 4-0 in road games this year. For the second consecutive day Fresno State (15-11, 0-5 MW) battled back from an early deficit, trailing just 2-1 after the third inning and bringing the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning, but came up short as San Jose State has pitched well and played strong defense in the series.

Wilson had half of the six Bulldog hits in the contest with two bunt singles and an RBI knock in the seventh while also stealing her 15^th base of the season and scoring her team-leading 20^th run of the year. Fellow freshman Danielle Lung was strong in relief for the 'Dogs, allowing just one earned run and four hits over five innings pitched.

How it Happened
As was the case in the series opener on Friday, San Jose State was able to take a lead before the 'Dogs came to the plate. On Saturday the first two Spartans had a pair of singles and Madison Aurin brought in Makayla Englestad with a sacrifice fly. The Spartans also had their first two hitters reach in the second inning and scored a second run on a fielder's choice, but in both innings the 'Dogs were able to limit the damage and trailed just 2-0.

Jade Nua and Hayleigh Galvan both reached to start the bottom of the second but the Bulldogs were unable to cut into the deficit. Lung entered in the third inning and retired the side in order, and in the bottom of the third Fresno State got on the board as Wilson singled, stole second, and scored with two away on a Vanessa Hernandez RBI single (watch).

The Spartans came back with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. The leadoff hitter reached on catcher's interference and scored on a double from Kaelin Amrein, who would score herself two batters later on a groundout to make it a 4-1 Spartan lead.

Fresno State had baserunners in each of the next three innings but couldn't score. Lung kept the deficit at three runs with three scoreless innings, and in the bottom of the seventh Kaitlyn Jennings led off with a pinch-hit triple (watch) and scored with one out on an RBI single from Wilson (watch). After a caught stealing Miranda Rohleder drew a walk but Jenessa Ullegue induced a groundout to close the game.

Notable

Nua reached base twice with a hit-by-pitch and a walk and has now reached in 13 consecutive games. She did see her team season-long 10-game hitting streak come to an end, however, as she made an out in her only official at-bat.
Wilson has hit 14-for-28 (.500) with a .563 on-base percentage and nine stolen bases over her first nine home games as a Bulldog.
Kelcey Carrasco had a hit in her third consecutive game and is hitting .375 at home this year.

Up Next

The series concludes on Sunday at noon at Margie Wright Diamond. It will be a Salute to Sunday game as all active military and veterans receive FREE admission with ID and kids are invited to run the bases after the game.

"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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