Brianna Campbell/ The Collegian
The Fresno State softball team sealed the deal Saturday in their three-game series against the Utah State Aggies.
The ‘Dogs staged a comeback in the sixth inning to earn four runs — just enough to sweep the Aggies.
Play started Friday night at Bulldog Diamond, where the ‘Dogs celebrated with the American Cancer Society and the Central California Blood Center to raise the awareness of saving lives by donating blood.
Michelle Moses dominated the night in the circle, posting a career best 13 strikeouts, letting only four hits and one run scored to earn a win for the night, 4-1.
“I just want to win,” Moses said. “I don’t care how many K’s [strike outs] and all that stuff, I just want to win.”
Moses transferred her defensive power to offense while starting the rally that would clinch the game for the ‘Dogs with a single to left field. Sophomore Caitlin Stiglich was close behind, going 2 for 2 Friday night followed by teammate Lisamarie Coronado who was 1 for 3 with one RBI.
Third baseman Nicole Angene hit a double in the fourth for two RBI’s and continued her hot streak in the fifth with a solo home run, her fourth of the season.
Head coach Margie Wright said she was pleased with her team’s performance and the ability of the whole line-up to put points on the scoreboard.
“You put nine people up to bat because you can believe they all can come through, and that is key,” Wright said. “I believe in every one of them, and I think that they all did a nice job.”
Friday night’s intense game play transferred over to Saturday with a double-header against the Aggies to finish the series.
Left fielder Andrea Ortega started the game right with a single home run in the first inning to put the ‘Dogs ahead from the start.
Morgan Melloh pitched a complete four-hitter game with eight strike outs. The Bulldogs took the first game 7-3, but struggled to continue in the second game.
Down 1-0 in the top of the sixth, the ‘Dogs came alive on defense turning a double play to return to the dugout for one of their last chances to score.
Top of the lineup, Hayley Gilleland started it off right with a single to shortstop, getting her only hit for the day, one of six. But that didn’t stop her. Gilleland earned her 50 stolen bases for her career, just one shy of record holder Becky Witt.
That was the beginning of the end for the ‘Dogs.
“We had to pick up our energy towards the end of the game, and we did that,” Angene said.
Angene did just that with her contribution during the sixth-inning rally with a double, giving her two RBIs.
“As the sixth inning came, we knew that there wouldn’t be many more opportunities for us to score,” Angene said. “So, our energy picked up. We were seeing the ball better. All the hitters in the line-up did their job in order for us to score to win.”
Moses relieved starting pitcher Mackenzie Oaks, who had four strike outs. Moses struck out two of the three batters to finish the series sweep by the ‘Dogs 4-1.
“Sweeping is a great accomplishment for us right now,” Angene said. “It is what we need to carry on for the rest of the season.”