Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, February 29
12:30 PM PT
Fresno State
17-3
4
vs
3
Texas
18-3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
TEXAS
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
3
5
1
Fresno State
3
0
0
0
1
0
X
4
8
1
Photo by: Kiel Maddox
'Dogs take down No. 3 Texas on day two of Judi Garman Classic
2/29/2020 9:00:00 PM | Softball
FULLERTON, Calif. – Fresno State opened the second day of the Judi Garman Classic with an impressive 4-3 upset win over No. 3 Texas, followed by an 8-0 loss to No. 2 Washington, on a doubleheader Saturday that would test any program.
The victory against the Longhorns marked the Bulldogs' first win over a Top 5 team since upending then-No. 5 Michigan in 2011 - which was also at the Judi Garman Classic.Â
Fresno State (15-4) met a hot Texas (19-3) team who had beat No. 1 UCLA on Thursday, and No. 2 Washington on Friday, but were unfazed. The Bulldogs tallied eight hits and four earned runs against two-time All-American pitcher, Miranda Elish, who entered the game with a 1.11 ERA and .136 opponent's batting average. Fresno State out-hit Texas, 8-5, which was led by Vanessa Hernandez and Alexandra Preston both going 2-for-3 at the plate.
Against UT, Hailey Dolcini made her seventh start in the circle, pitching six innings and recording six strikeouts. Danielle Lung entered in relief, and registered her second save of the season by finishing off the last three batters.
vs. No. 3 Texas
It took two at-bats for the Longhorns to score its first run. Following an error that allowed the leadoff batter of the game on base, a double to left field followed that scored the first run. Dolcini retired the next three consecutive batters, ending the inning with a strikeout to bring the 'Dogs up.
The Bulldogs got it done with three base hits in the bottom of the first that scored three runs. After Wilson drew a leadoff walk, and stole second to get into quick scoring position, Schuylar Broussard plated her with an RBI single through the left side to tie the game. Hernandez then smacked a single up the middle to advance Broussard to second, and a wild pitch moved both Bulldog runners in scoring position. Alesia Denby extended the Bulldogs lead to 2-1 with an RBI single to bring Broussard home, and another wild pitch allowed Hernandez to score to push the Bulldogs' advantage to 3-1.Â
Texas made it a one-run game with a leadoff home run in the third, but the next three batters would be retired to stall any rally. The Longhorns attempted a two-out rally in the top of the fifth with back-to-back singles, but Dolcini dealt a strikeout to end the threat.
The Bulldogs tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Wilson hit a leadoff single, and stole her second base of the game to get in scoring position. Texas dealt two quick outs, but Hernandez hit a two-out RBI single to bring Wilson home for a 4-2 lead.
The Longhorns kept fighting for a comeback until the final inning, led by Courtney Day smacking a leadoff homerun, her second of the game, to once again make it a one-run game. Dolcini would exit in favor of Lung, and Lung would get the job done forcing two ground outs and struckout the last batter to seal the 4-3 win over No. 3 Texas.
vs. No. 2 Washington
Kaitlyn Jennings recorded the Bulldogs' sole hit of the game in the first with a single to center field with one out, and Washington followed by recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the top of the first. The Huskies followed with a leadoff walk, and a home run to take a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom half.
The Huskies chalked another leadoff walk in the second, and a double would bring home another run to make it a 3-0 game.
Washington posted a four-run inning in the fourth, scoring on six hits to take a 7-0 lead.
UW starter Gabbie Plain sent the 'Dogs down with three straight strikeouts to up her total to nine for the game in the top of the fifth. The Huskies loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth and a walk would bring home the eighth run of the game and give UW the win by virtue of run-rule.
Quotables:
Linda Garza, Head Coach
"Rudy Carrasco has 100 percent been with us all weekend. Hailey Dolcini executed the plan and showed some amazing toughness in the circle. Our offense showed up and made things happen inning after inning. I'm so proud of this group. They are exciting to watch and fun to coach."
"Washington brought their A-game and made it tough early. They dominated every area and we have to tip our hat. We have to move on and focus on the things we have to do to get two wins on Sunday."Â
Hailey Dolcini, Junior, RHP
"I'm very proud of our team and the fight we showed today. Pitching this game was extremely fun knowing our defense had it handled, and our offense kept throwing punches. We knew Rudy was with us this whole time and the feeling was unreal. We are sending all the love to the Carrasco's, this is for you guys!"Â
Â
What's next – Fresno State will face CSU Fullerton at 3:45 p.m. PT and LMU at 6 p.m. PT to finish the 2020 Judi Garman Classic.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.Â
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateSB
Instagram:Â FresnoStateSoftball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateSoftball
The victory against the Longhorns marked the Bulldogs' first win over a Top 5 team since upending then-No. 5 Michigan in 2011 - which was also at the Judi Garman Classic.Â
Fresno State (15-4) met a hot Texas (19-3) team who had beat No. 1 UCLA on Thursday, and No. 2 Washington on Friday, but were unfazed. The Bulldogs tallied eight hits and four earned runs against two-time All-American pitcher, Miranda Elish, who entered the game with a 1.11 ERA and .136 opponent's batting average. Fresno State out-hit Texas, 8-5, which was led by Vanessa Hernandez and Alexandra Preston both going 2-for-3 at the plate.
Against UT, Hailey Dolcini made her seventh start in the circle, pitching six innings and recording six strikeouts. Danielle Lung entered in relief, and registered her second save of the season by finishing off the last three batters.
vs. No. 3 Texas
It took two at-bats for the Longhorns to score its first run. Following an error that allowed the leadoff batter of the game on base, a double to left field followed that scored the first run. Dolcini retired the next three consecutive batters, ending the inning with a strikeout to bring the 'Dogs up.
The Bulldogs got it done with three base hits in the bottom of the first that scored three runs. After Wilson drew a leadoff walk, and stole second to get into quick scoring position, Schuylar Broussard plated her with an RBI single through the left side to tie the game. Hernandez then smacked a single up the middle to advance Broussard to second, and a wild pitch moved both Bulldog runners in scoring position. Alesia Denby extended the Bulldogs lead to 2-1 with an RBI single to bring Broussard home, and another wild pitch allowed Hernandez to score to push the Bulldogs' advantage to 3-1.Â
Texas made it a one-run game with a leadoff home run in the third, but the next three batters would be retired to stall any rally. The Longhorns attempted a two-out rally in the top of the fifth with back-to-back singles, but Dolcini dealt a strikeout to end the threat.
The Bulldogs tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Wilson hit a leadoff single, and stole her second base of the game to get in scoring position. Texas dealt two quick outs, but Hernandez hit a two-out RBI single to bring Wilson home for a 4-2 lead.
The Longhorns kept fighting for a comeback until the final inning, led by Courtney Day smacking a leadoff homerun, her second of the game, to once again make it a one-run game. Dolcini would exit in favor of Lung, and Lung would get the job done forcing two ground outs and struckout the last batter to seal the 4-3 win over No. 3 Texas.
vs. No. 2 Washington
Kaitlyn Jennings recorded the Bulldogs' sole hit of the game in the first with a single to center field with one out, and Washington followed by recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the top of the first. The Huskies followed with a leadoff walk, and a home run to take a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom half.
The Huskies chalked another leadoff walk in the second, and a double would bring home another run to make it a 3-0 game.
Washington posted a four-run inning in the fourth, scoring on six hits to take a 7-0 lead.
UW starter Gabbie Plain sent the 'Dogs down with three straight strikeouts to up her total to nine for the game in the top of the fifth. The Huskies loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth and a walk would bring home the eighth run of the game and give UW the win by virtue of run-rule.
Quotables:
Linda Garza, Head Coach
"Rudy Carrasco has 100 percent been with us all weekend. Hailey Dolcini executed the plan and showed some amazing toughness in the circle. Our offense showed up and made things happen inning after inning. I'm so proud of this group. They are exciting to watch and fun to coach."
"Washington brought their A-game and made it tough early. They dominated every area and we have to tip our hat. We have to move on and focus on the things we have to do to get two wins on Sunday."Â
Hailey Dolcini, Junior, RHP
"I'm very proud of our team and the fight we showed today. Pitching this game was extremely fun knowing our defense had it handled, and our offense kept throwing punches. We knew Rudy was with us this whole time and the feeling was unreal. We are sending all the love to the Carrasco's, this is for you guys!"Â
Â
What's next – Fresno State will face CSU Fullerton at 3:45 p.m. PT and LMU at 6 p.m. PT to finish the 2020 Judi Garman Classic.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.Â
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateSB
Instagram:Â FresnoStateSoftball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateSoftball
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dolcini, Hailey (6-1)
L: Elish, Miranda (8-3)
S: Lung, Danielle (1)
Batting:
2B: Burke, Lauren 1
HR: Day, Courtney 2
RBI: Burke, Lauren 1 ; Day, Courtney 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Jefferson, Janae 1 ; Day, Courtney 2
SB: Popelka, Alyssa 1
HBP: Iakopo, Mary 1
Batting:
RBI: Broussard, Schuylar 1 ; Hernandez, Vanessa M. 1 ; Denby, Alesia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wilson, McKenzie 2 ; Broussard, Schuylar 1 ; Hernandez, Vanessa M. 1
SB: Wilson, McKenzie 2
PO: Cuevas-Iñiguez, Aaliyah 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
2
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballC
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