Fresno State Athletics
Friday, February 28
Fullerton, CA
7:30 PM PT
Fresno State
14-3
3
vs
2
Illinois
8-8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Illinois
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
6
3
Fresno State
0
0
2
0
0
1
X
3
6
1
Fresno State edges Illinois 3-2
2/29/2020 12:52:00 AM | Softball
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team opened the Judi Garman Classic with a 3-2 victory over Illinois on Friday night.
"It's been an emotional week," head coach Linda Garza said. "I'm glad we were able to squeeze out this win. McKenzie Wilson, Kaitlyn Jennings and Schuylar Broussard carried us offensively and Danielle Lung willed her way to victory at the end."
The Bulldogs (14-3) earned their sixth straight victory while collecting six hits and one home run. Schuylar Broussard continued her hot streak at the plate with a two-run home run. McKenzie Wilson and Kaitlyn Jennings both went 2-of-3 at the plate, and Wilson tacked on two stolen bases. Danielle Lung made her seventh start in the circle, pitching a complete game and dishing four strikeouts.
How it Happened
Lung retired the first set of Illinois batters. Wilson hit a leadoff single through the left side and then stole second on the next pitch. Jennings drew a walk and Broussard got hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Fighting Illini struck out three batters in a row to end the inning, stranding the three runners.
Illinois' Shelby Stauffenberg hit a home run in the top of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. The next batter, singled to center field but the inning would end with back-to-back ground outs.
Jennings sparked the offensive momentum in the bottom of the third with a one-out double to center field. Broussard smashed a home run over the wall in the left center, her third of the season, bringing in two runs for the lead.
In the top of the fourth, Lung continued her strong outing retiring the first batter by strikeout. After a single and walk, the Bulldog defense and Lung retired the next 2 batters for a scoreless top half on the fourth inning.
Illinois' Avery Steiner started a rally in the top of the fifth with a leadoff double down the left field line. After a bunt, Illinois was able to score the runner on a sac fly to right field. Lung was able to recover, and get out of the inning by striking out the next batter.Â
Wilson continued her strong offensive outing with a leadoff single, beating out a throw from the second baseman. After stealing her second base of the game. Wilson advanced to third off of a single by Jennings that tipped the glove of the shortstop. The Bulldogs were not able to capitalize on the opportunity, as the next three batters were retired in order. Â
The 'Dogs held the Fighting Illini scoreless in the top of the sixth to keep the game tied 2-2. Alesia Denby was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the inning, and Alexandra Preston threw down a sacrifice bunt to move her to second. Haley Fuller drew a walk to put two runners on base. Wilson reached first base on an infield single sent back to the pitcher, the pitcher attempted to get the runner out at third base but threw the ball over the third baseman's head sending the runner at third home for the go-ahead run.
Lung sealed in the victory with three straight outs. Â
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What's next – Fresno State will face No. 3 Texas at 12:30 p.m. PT and No. 2 Washington at 3 p.m. PT.
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"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
"It's been an emotional week," head coach Linda Garza said. "I'm glad we were able to squeeze out this win. McKenzie Wilson, Kaitlyn Jennings and Schuylar Broussard carried us offensively and Danielle Lung willed her way to victory at the end."
The Bulldogs (14-3) earned their sixth straight victory while collecting six hits and one home run. Schuylar Broussard continued her hot streak at the plate with a two-run home run. McKenzie Wilson and Kaitlyn Jennings both went 2-of-3 at the plate, and Wilson tacked on two stolen bases. Danielle Lung made her seventh start in the circle, pitching a complete game and dishing four strikeouts.
How it Happened
Lung retired the first set of Illinois batters. Wilson hit a leadoff single through the left side and then stole second on the next pitch. Jennings drew a walk and Broussard got hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Fighting Illini struck out three batters in a row to end the inning, stranding the three runners.
Illinois' Shelby Stauffenberg hit a home run in the top of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. The next batter, singled to center field but the inning would end with back-to-back ground outs.
Jennings sparked the offensive momentum in the bottom of the third with a one-out double to center field. Broussard smashed a home run over the wall in the left center, her third of the season, bringing in two runs for the lead.
In the top of the fourth, Lung continued her strong outing retiring the first batter by strikeout. After a single and walk, the Bulldog defense and Lung retired the next 2 batters for a scoreless top half on the fourth inning.
Illinois' Avery Steiner started a rally in the top of the fifth with a leadoff double down the left field line. After a bunt, Illinois was able to score the runner on a sac fly to right field. Lung was able to recover, and get out of the inning by striking out the next batter.Â
Wilson continued her strong offensive outing with a leadoff single, beating out a throw from the second baseman. After stealing her second base of the game. Wilson advanced to third off of a single by Jennings that tipped the glove of the shortstop. The Bulldogs were not able to capitalize on the opportunity, as the next three batters were retired in order. Â
The 'Dogs held the Fighting Illini scoreless in the top of the sixth to keep the game tied 2-2. Alesia Denby was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the inning, and Alexandra Preston threw down a sacrifice bunt to move her to second. Haley Fuller drew a walk to put two runners on base. Wilson reached first base on an infield single sent back to the pitcher, the pitcher attempted to get the runner out at third base but threw the ball over the third baseman's head sending the runner at third home for the go-ahead run.
Lung sealed in the victory with three straight outs. Â
Â
What's next – Fresno State will face No. 3 Texas at 12:30 p.m. PT and No. 2 Washington at 3 p.m. PT.
Â
"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: Lung, Danielle (5-1)
L: S Sickels (3-5)
Batting:
2B: A Steiner 1 ; B Loya 1
HR: Stauffenberg 1
RBI: D Rummell 1 ; Stauffenberg 1
SH: M Gallardo 1
SF: D Rummell 1
Base Running:
RUNS: A Steiner 1 ; Stauffenberg 1
Batting:
2B: Jennings, Kaitlyn 1
HR: Broussard, Schuylar 1
RBI: Broussard, Schuylar 2
SH: Wilson, McKenzie 1 ; Preston, Alexandra 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jennings, Kaitlyn 1 ; Broussard, Schuylar 1 ; Noriega, Adrianna 1
SB: Wilson, McKenzie 2 ; Jennings, Kaitlyn 1
CS: Hall, Kelsey 1
HBP: Denby, Alesia 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
C
/ SoftballOF
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