Mike Howells/Collegian File Photo
After a long day of travel the Fresno State softball team arrived in Ruston, La., yesterday to prepare for their first round of Western Athletic Conference play against host Louisiana Tech.
Coming off a 3-1 victory against No. 5/6 Michigan State on the road the softball team enters its three-game series against La. Tech with a positive outlook, despite having their home double-header against UC Santa Barbara postponed due to rain.
Fresno State continues to be led offensively by shortstop Hayley Gilleland, infielder Brooke Ortiz and utility player Michelle Moses.
Gilleland, the double-threat senior, currently holds a .316 batting average with 25 hits, 14 runs and nine RBIs. The premier speedster on the team she is also 12-12 in stolen bases. Ortiz enters the series with a .342 average, 26 hits, 11 runs and four RBIs. Moses, dangerous on the mound, on the field and at the plate, heads to La. Tech with eight home runs, 19 RBIs, a perfect fielding percentage, but a 5-6 record on the mound.
The team also boasts another outstanding pitcher in WAC player of the week Mackenzie Oakes, who earned the honor after her performance in the Judi Garman Classic. Oakes went 3-0 during the tournament, leading the Bulldogs to wins over Illinois, Bradley and Michigan. The Bulldogs are currently 8-0 when Oakes starts and are able to count on her stamina, as she has completed every game she has started.
La. Tech will also enter the series on a positive note having won their last game against McNeese State 2-1 on the arm of Meghan Krieg. Krieg currently ranks second in the WAC with 135 strikeouts.
La. Tech will be counting on two of their top players, Janna Frandrup and Allie Geisler to provide offensive support. Both players enter the series with three home runs and nearly 10 RBIs apiece. They will be counting on Heather Doiron, Christina Gamboa and Charday Wilson for speed around the bases.
The Bulldogs currently lead the all-time series 27-5 against La. Tech.
The series will also be one of the last times Fresno faces La. Tech as a member of the WAC as the team prepares its move to the Mountain West Conference following next season.
The Lady Techsters will return to their home field next weekend to take on their toughest WAC rival Hawaii, with the first game in the series being televised on ESPNU.
Coaches and players were unavailable for interviews.