With the Fresno State softball team still in contention for the Mountain West Conference championship, the upcoming three-game series at San Diego State takes on a whole different level of importance.

The Aztecs are tied for first in the Mountain West, boasting a 6-3 record and are 28-16 overall. Colorado State is also 6-3.

The Bulldogs are 7-5 in conference and 26-20 overall with just six conference games remaining.

Fresno State could leave San Diego with a much brighter outlook in the Mountain West, or the Bulldogs could return home out of the championship picture.

It is the last road series of the season for Fresno State, which closes out the conference season at home next weekend against New Mexico.

It won’t be easy for the Bulldogs to win in San Diego. The Aztecs are 13-4 at home and have a very potent lineup.

San Diego features an offense that is hitting .298 as a team. Leading the way for the Aztecs is Lorena Bauer, who is hitting .418 with 11 home runs, 15 doubles, two triples and 39 RBIs.

If the Bulldogs are going to shut down the Aztecs, they will need the type of pitching performance they received from Jill Compton in Sunday’s 5-0 victory over Colorado State.

Compton tossed a complete-game shutout in the win, limiting the Rams to just two hits and striking out nine. It was her 12th win of the season.

The Bulldogs don’t need to rely on just Compton though. They have a three-headed monster that has been very effective in the circle this season. Taylor Langdon has a 6-2 record with a 1.96 ERA, and Hannah Harris is 8-6 with a 2.45 ERA.

Offensively, the Bulldogs are hoping Brenna Moss can be the sparkplug. The outfielder has seven triples this season, which is tied for first in the nation, and 23 stolen bases to lead the conference.

Michelle Solomon has been a RBI machine for the Bulldogs with 34, and Paige Gumz leads the team with a .326 batting average.