Joseph Edgecomb / The Collegian
Whether it’s gaining momentum in the batting order, or keeping the left side of the infield secure, the Fresno State softball team only needs to call one name — Haley.
Junior Haley Perkins and freshman Haley Gilleland have worked together all season to lead their team to each of the 48 victories earned this season.
Coach Margie Wright has depended on the duo all year to provide defense in the most important area of the diamond.
“I can’t say enough positive about our left side,â€Â Wright said. “These two together, I think it’s almost impossible to get a ball through the left side.â€Â
Both Perkins and Gilleland have a fielding percentage over .900.
Both of them agreed that their on-field chemistry has a lot to do with their success.
Joseph Edgecomb / The Collegian
This is not the first time “Gill and Perkâ€Â have locked down the left infield.
Perkins played the last two years at Clovis West High School, with Gilleland at her side.
The only difference is now Gilleland plays shortstop and Perkins plays third base.
Either way, Perkins said she̢۪s glad to have the other Haley back on her side.
“Haley and I have played together since high school,â€Â Perkins said. “She’s got great range, and I’ve got great range. It feels like we got the left side pretty locked down.â€Â
Perkins and Gilleland, who bat first and second in the batting order, have been stellar at the plate.
The name Haley has been synonymous with offense for Fresno State.
Both players work together to ensure that some kind of offensive momentum comes out of their at bats.
Gilleland said the success comes from both players̢۪ aggressive nature.
“Our job is to get it done,â€Â Gilleland said. “We work really well together; even up to bat we motivate each other.â€Â
Both Perkins and Gilleland rank in the top ten in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in hits per game, runs scored per game, at-bats, plate appearances, batting average, on base percentage, hits and total bases.
Wright said having the two at the beginning of the line up has proven effective.
“They are a huge threat; they both can bunt, they both can slap it and beat something out and they both have power,â€Â Wright said. “They both get on base a lot, and that’s what you want at the top of your order.â€Â
Both players said that creating momentum was the duo̢۪s main focus at bat.
“If I don’t get a hit, there is no doubt in my mind she’ll get the hit,â€Â Perkins said. “She’s either keep going what I started, or she’s going to start something herself.â€Â
Perkins has the lowest amount of strikeouts per game and tops the WAC in runs scored.
Gilleland has done her fair share of running, as well. Gilleland currently has the second most stolen bases in conference. She has stolen 19 of 20 bases.
Gilleland said the duo̢۪s success comes from something unexplainable they have out there on the diamond.
“It’s just a feeling and we both have together,â€Â Gilleland said. “It just meshed.â€Â
Even with an unexplainable chemistry, Perkins admits the two have their troubles.
“The only thing that does get confusing, is like say there is a pop-up,â€Â Perkins said. “And someone says, ‘Haley, Haley, Haley.’ Beside that it’s fun playing with her.â€Â