Bulldogs beat San Jose State 4-3 in series finale

Sunday, March 24

Fresno, Calif.

12 P.M. PT

Fresno State

16-11, 1-5

San Jose State

22-10, 2-1

San Jose State

Fresno State

Bulldogs beat San Jose State 4-3 in series finale

3/24/2019 3:53:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Andrew Tomsky / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State battled back from a 2-0 deficit with a four-run third inning and all three Bulldog pitchers made big contributions in a 4-3 win over San Jose State to wrap up the weekend series at Margie Wright Diamond.

Fresno State (16-11, 1-5 MW) improved to 8-2 at home this season while ending a 12-game winning streak for San Jose State (22-10, 2-1 MW). In a well-pitched series in which all three games were decided by two runs or fewer, the Bulldogs had strong pitching and defense to strand eight Spartan baserunners in the win.

Danielle East pitched the first three innings and reentered in the sixth to get the final out while allowing just one earned run. Danielle Lung pitched 2.2 innings, allowing just three hits and one run to earn the win, and Hailey Dolcini retired the side in order on just seven pitches in the seventh to pick up her first career save.

How it Happened
San Jose State got on the board in the first inning as Arianna Miranda and Madison Aurin both had doubles to plate one run. In the third inning, San Jose State loaded the bases with two walks and a Bulldog error and moved ahead 2-0 on a bases-loaded walk from Rayohna Sagapolu, but East was able to get a groundout to strand three runners and enable the comeback in the bottom of the inning.

Kaitlyn Jennings led off with a double (watch) and scored on a RBI grounder from McKenzie Wilson, who was also able to reach base on a throwing error (watch). Miranda Rohleder drew a walk to put two baserunners aboard with one out and Rachel Minogue singled up the middle to bring in Wilson and tie the game (watch). The Spartans got the second out, but Jade Nua came through with a two-run double down the left field line to give the 'Dogs a 4-2 lead (watch).

Lung entered and tossed scoreless frames in the fourth and fifth innings, but the Spartans mounted a rally in the sixth with a leadoff double and a one-out single. Rohleder caught a line drive for the second out, but after East reentered Makayla Englestad singled to right to make it a 4-3 game. East then got Miranda to fly out, however, to maintain the Bulldog lead.

Dolcini made quick work of the Spartans in the seventh, getting a fly out and a groundout on just three pitches to start the inning then striking out Sagapolu to seal the win (watch).

Notable

Nua has now reached base in 14 consecutive games and has had a hit in 11 of 12 games since entering the starting lineup, hitting .400 with a .526 on-base percentage and seven RBIs during the stretch.
Sunday's contest marked the third time this season that all three Bulldog pitchers saw action in the same game.
All three Fresno State pitchers have now recorded a save this year.
The Bulldogs improved to 13-0 this season when leading after the fifth inning.
Fresno State recorded its third come-from-behind win of the season and had its third win this year when getting outhit, as the Spartans had a slight 6-5 edge in hits in the game.

Quotable
Head Coach Linda Garza
On the series…
"I'm glad we were able to pull out a win at the end but I'm disappointed. I definitely believe that we're a better team than how we have been playing these last couple games and we haven't been able to get on a roll. I tip my hat to San Jose State; I thought they made some great pitching changes when they needed to and they're a team that's made 40+ errors this season and they just took care of the ball this weekend. We needed some of those balls to drop in and we just never caught a break and it made things a lot tougher for us. I'm definitely glad we were able to pull out the W today but we have a lot of work to do."

Jade Nua
On the series…
"It was a struggle, but I think we really wanted it and we were really fighting. We knew that even though they scored one in the first inning we were going to get our pitchers' backs. My hit was nice, but everyone else got it going. Kaitlyn got the double to start the inning and that got us going."

On moving into the starting lineup…
"It's a beautiful experience. You don't appreciate it until it's gone, and being out there has been really nice and I'm enjoying it."

Up Next
Fresno State breaks from MW play next week as it will host the Fresno State Invitational Thursday-Sunday. San Diego, Santa Clara, Pacific, and CSU Bakersfield will take part in the tournament and the 'Dogs will play six games, starting on Thursday night at 7:30 against San Diego.

"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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