Denman’s complete game shutout clinches series win

Saturday, April 1

Fresno, Calif.

12 p.m. PT

Fresno State

14-19, 3-2

New Mexico

16-20, 3-5

New Mexico

Fresno State

Denman’s complete game shutout clinches series win

4/1/2023 2:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team defeated the New Mexico Lobos 1-0 on a special Saturday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond.

Shelbi Denman threw a complete game shutout with five strikeouts and just one walk to lead Fresno State (14-19, 3-2 Mountain West) to a series win over New Mexico (16-20, 3-5 MW).

The efficient 94-minute pitcher's duel between Denman and UNM's Taylor Snow featured no errors by either squad.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 2 – Fresno State 1, New Mexico 0
Shelbi Denman (6-3) faced four or fewer batters in each of the first five innings and the Bulldogs' defense locked in when needed.

In the fourth frame, Fresno State designated player Vanessa M. Hernandez connected on a two-out RBI single to turn Alesia Denby's leadoff double into the game's only run.

After Denman was able to get UNM to strand runners at third in the fifth and sixth, the senior pitcher retired the side in order in the seventh to close out the victory.

NOTES

At the plate, Fresno State's Keahilele Mattson upped her batting average in conference play to .647 by going 2-for-3 and stealing a base on Saturday and improved to 5-for-6 in the weekend series with the Lobos.
With the win, Fresno State improved to 54-9 all-time against New Mexico entering Sunday's series finale.
This was Fresno State's second straight (third overall this season) complete game by a pitcher, as Taylor Gilmore had a complete game 3-1 victory in Friday's series opener.
Prior to the game, former Fresno State softball coach Margie Wright, who retired in 2012 as the winningest coach in NCAA softball history, returned to the field named in her honor to throw out the ceremonial first pitch as alumnae teams from 1983, 1993, 2003 and 2013 were recognized.

NEXT UP
Fresno State and New Mexico meet again in the series finale on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. PT at Margie Wright Diamond.

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