Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, March 7
Fresno, CA
5:00 PM PT
Fresno State
20-4
8
vs
7
North Dakota State
7-15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
North Dakota State
0
5
1
0
1
0
0
7
10
3
Fresno State
0
0
2
0
0
5
1
8
13
1
Photo by: Keith Kountz
'Dogs complete comeback over NDSU with a walk-off
3/7/2020 11:25:00 PM | Softball
FRESNO, Calif. – The No. 25 Fresno State softball team overcame a sixth inning 7-2 deficit, storming back for six runs over two innings to defeat North Dakota State, 8-7, in walk-off fashion at Margie Wright Diamond on Saturday night.
It was a true team win for Fresno State (20-4) as the 'Dogs rallied with six multi-base hits from six different players, including home runs from McKenzie Wilson and Hayleigh Galvan. Fresno State relied on three pitchers during the contest. Sophomore Danielle East showed great composure in the circle pitching five innings, recording three strikeouts and holding an aggressive NDSU lineup to two runs after their initial five runs. Hailey Dolcini would get the win after closing the final inning for the second consecutive game, improving to 9-1 on the season.
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"Wow, what a game," said head coach Linda Garza. "I'm proud of Danielle East's performance tonight. She came in and kept us in the game, giving our team a chance to get the win. Our offense persevered through the challenges we faced with the opposing pitcher. The Red Wave willed us through this win, we couldn't have done it without their energy in the stadium tonight. It was an emotional day and I'm so excited that we pulled off that win."
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How it happened
After a scoreless first inning, North Dakota State posted a five-run inning off four hits in the top of the second against the Bulldogs' starter Danielle Lung. East entered the circle in relief, and recorded the final out of the second. NDSU tacked on another run in the third, fueled by back-to-back singles, to take a commanding 6-0 lead.Â
Fresno State began chipping away at the Bison's lead in the bottom of the third scoring two runs. Adrianna Noriega reached on a fielding error by the shortstop to leadoff the inning. Wilson smashed a hit down the right field line, bringing home Noriega, and utilized her speed to record the first inside-the-park home run of the season as she beat the tag at home.
NDSU stunted Fresno State's momentum, holding the Bulldogs scoreless for the next two innings, and the Bison managed to get another run across in the fifth to go on top 7-2.
With two innings left to play, Galvan destroyed the ball for a leadoff home run that proved to be the offensive spark the Bulldogs needed to begin mounting their comeback. Vanessa Hernandez drew a walk and Kelsey Hall brought her in with a double to center field. Wilson came up to the plate and drew another walk, and both runners advanced to scoring positions on a wild pitch. Jennings hit the ball down the right-field line for a 2-RBI double. Schuylar Broussard followed with the third double of the inning to bring home Jennings, tying the game 7-7.
NDSU threatened to retake the lead in the seventh, advancing a runner to third, but entered Hailey Dolcini to the circle to dash those hopes with a three-pitch relief appearance striking out the batter looking to chalk the third out.
Haley Fuller hit a leadoff single to start the bottom of the frame, and she would prove to be the game-winning run. Hall executed a sacrifice bunt to move her into scoring position, and Wilson would then beat out a throw to first for an infield single, advancing Fuller to third. Miranda Rohleder loaded the bases after reaching on a fielder's choice, and Jennings stepped up to the plate and hit a ground ball to the shortstop. The throw home was wide to the catcher and Fuller scored on the throwing error for the walk-off.
What's nextÂ
Fresno State will face UC Davis on the final day of the Bulldog Classic at 11:30 a.m. PT on Sunday, March 7 at 11:30 p.m. PT.
"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
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateSB
Instagram:Â FresnoStateSoftball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateSoftball
Â
It was a true team win for Fresno State (20-4) as the 'Dogs rallied with six multi-base hits from six different players, including home runs from McKenzie Wilson and Hayleigh Galvan. Fresno State relied on three pitchers during the contest. Sophomore Danielle East showed great composure in the circle pitching five innings, recording three strikeouts and holding an aggressive NDSU lineup to two runs after their initial five runs. Hailey Dolcini would get the win after closing the final inning for the second consecutive game, improving to 9-1 on the season.
Â
"Wow, what a game," said head coach Linda Garza. "I'm proud of Danielle East's performance tonight. She came in and kept us in the game, giving our team a chance to get the win. Our offense persevered through the challenges we faced with the opposing pitcher. The Red Wave willed us through this win, we couldn't have done it without their energy in the stadium tonight. It was an emotional day and I'm so excited that we pulled off that win."
Â
How it happened
After a scoreless first inning, North Dakota State posted a five-run inning off four hits in the top of the second against the Bulldogs' starter Danielle Lung. East entered the circle in relief, and recorded the final out of the second. NDSU tacked on another run in the third, fueled by back-to-back singles, to take a commanding 6-0 lead.Â
Fresno State began chipping away at the Bison's lead in the bottom of the third scoring two runs. Adrianna Noriega reached on a fielding error by the shortstop to leadoff the inning. Wilson smashed a hit down the right field line, bringing home Noriega, and utilized her speed to record the first inside-the-park home run of the season as she beat the tag at home.
NDSU stunted Fresno State's momentum, holding the Bulldogs scoreless for the next two innings, and the Bison managed to get another run across in the fifth to go on top 7-2.
With two innings left to play, Galvan destroyed the ball for a leadoff home run that proved to be the offensive spark the Bulldogs needed to begin mounting their comeback. Vanessa Hernandez drew a walk and Kelsey Hall brought her in with a double to center field. Wilson came up to the plate and drew another walk, and both runners advanced to scoring positions on a wild pitch. Jennings hit the ball down the right-field line for a 2-RBI double. Schuylar Broussard followed with the third double of the inning to bring home Jennings, tying the game 7-7.
NDSU threatened to retake the lead in the seventh, advancing a runner to third, but entered Hailey Dolcini to the circle to dash those hopes with a three-pitch relief appearance striking out the batter looking to chalk the third out.
Haley Fuller hit a leadoff single to start the bottom of the frame, and she would prove to be the game-winning run. Hall executed a sacrifice bunt to move her into scoring position, and Wilson would then beat out a throw to first for an infield single, advancing Fuller to third. Miranda Rohleder loaded the bases after reaching on a fielder's choice, and Jennings stepped up to the plate and hit a ground ball to the shortstop. The throw home was wide to the catcher and Fuller scored on the throwing error for the walk-off.
What's nextÂ
Fresno State will face UC Davis on the final day of the Bulldog Classic at 11:30 a.m. PT on Sunday, March 7 at 11:30 p.m. PT.
"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
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateSB
Instagram:Â FresnoStateSoftball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateSoftball
Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dolcini, Hailey (9-1)
L: Paige Vargas (4-8)
Batting:
RBI: Stephanie Soriano 1 ; Cara Beatty 2 ; Sam Koehn 2 ; Cameryn Maykut 1 ; Skylar Padgett 1
SH: Avery Wysong 1 ; Cameryn Maykut 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Stephanie Soriano 1 ; Cara Beatty 1 ; Montana DeCamp 1 ; Lauren Reimers 1 ; Avery Wysong 1 ; Cameryn Maykut 1 ; Skylar Padgett 1
CS: Skylar Padgett 1
HBP: Lauren Reimers 1 ; Skylar Padgett 1
Batting:
2B: Jennings, Kaitlyn 1 ; Broussard, Schuylar 1 ; Galvan, Hayleigh 1 ; Hall, Kelsey 1
HR: Wilson, McKenzie 1 ; Galvan, Hayleigh 1
RBI: Wilson, McKenzie 2 ; Jennings, Kaitlyn 2 ; Broussard, Schuylar 1 ; Galvan, Hayleigh 1 ; Hall, Kelsey 1
SH: Hall, Kelsey 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wilson, McKenzie 2 ; Jennings, Kaitlyn 1 ; Galvan, Hayleigh 1 ; Fuller, Haley 1 ; Hernandez, Vanessa M. 1 ; Noriega, Adrianna 1 ; Hall, Kelsey 1
CS: Wilson, McKenzie 1
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
1
H
3
RBI
2
AB
4
R
1
H
3
RBI
1
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
IF
/ SoftballC/DP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
IF
/ SoftballOF
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