'Dogs win both on day one of the Judi Garman Classic

Friday, March 5

Fullerton, Calif.

3:30 P.M. PT

Fresno State

7-5

CSUF

9-9

Fresno State

Cal State Fullerton

Photo by: CARY EDMONDSON - FRESNO STATE

'Dogs win both on day one of the Judi Garman Classic

3/5/2021 10:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Taylor Martinez / Strategic Communications Assistant

FULLERTON, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team finished the first day of the Judi Garman Classic with two wins over host CS Fullerton. The Bulldogs defeated the Titans 4-3 in game one before unleashing their offense in Game two for a 9-1 victory (six innings) on Friday night.

"We came in with a plan and we stuck to the process," head coach Linda Garza said. "We had timely hitting. We had patience at the plate, quality pitching and good defense. Dariana (Orme) was fun to watch. She commanded the strike zone and earned a big win for us."

The Bulldogs improve to 8-5 on the season. Fresno State has won six straight games. Junior Vanessa Hernandez went 3-for-6 at the plate with a triple and the first grand slam of the season, totaling seven RBIs. In the circle, Dariana Orme pitched her first complete game of the season, only allowing one run and dishing four strikeouts.

Game One – Kaitlyn Jennings quickly made her way around the bases in the top of the first after she was hit by a pitch, the senior stole second for her 10th stolen base of the season then advanced to third on an error. Kelcey Carrasco sent Jennings home with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead. CSF followed suit in the bottom half of the inning, scoring off a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

The Titans took the lead in the third inning with a solo shot over the left field fence. CSF held Fresno State scoreless in the top of the fourth and extended its lead with another sacrifice fly, 3-1.

The Bulldogs weren't going to go down without a fight. After a leadoff single by Jennings in sixth inning and a drawn walk from Carrasco, Keihele Mattson hit a clutch two-RBI single through the right side to tie the game 3-3.

Dolcini and the defense held the Titans in the bottom half of the inning to give the Bulldogs' offense a chance to take the lead. Miranda Rohleder drew a walk to get on base in the top of the seventh, and Jennings followed with a double to put runners in scoring position. Rohleder used her base-running skills to capitalize on a fielder's choice to score the winning run.

Dolcini finished the job in the bottom of the seventh, pitching a complete game with seven strikeouts.

Game Two – Fresno State chalked a quick 2-0 lead after being patient at the plate in the first inning, drawing four walks and a HBP.

The Bulldogs started pouring it in in the third inning after Carrasco hit a leadoff single down the left field line and Alesia Denby followed with a drawn walk. Hernandez smashed a 2-RBI triple to center field to send both runners across home plate. The Bulldogs loaded the bases after a two fielder's choices and a HBP, and Jennings would bring home the final run of the inning after being hit by the pitch to log a 5-0 lead for the Bulldogs.

Fresno State carried the momentum into the sixth inning, adding on four more runs. The Bulldogs loaded the bases with one out, setting the stage for Hernandez. The junior launched a grand slam out of the park to give the Bulldogs a dominant 9-0 lead.

Fullerton would add one more run in the bottom of the inning, but the game would end there in run-rule fashion.

Orme finished the game with four strikeouts, only allowing one run.

What's Next -- Fresno State will finish the Judi Garman Classic against LMU tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. PT.