A weekend of commemoration and competition ended with the Fresno State softball team winning three of four at the first-annual Fresno State Louisville Slugger Bash.
The ‘Dogs won their first game on Friday, split the next two games Saturday, then pulled out another win on Sunday against Saint Mary’s to close out the weekend tournament.
Fresno State 1, Saint Mary’s 0
Saving the best for last, Fresno State managed to pull out a nail-biter in the bottom of the seventh inning Sunday off of Bria Kennedy’s two-out RBI single scoring Kierra Willis.
Both teams managed only seven hits combined in the outing, and neither was able to score until Kennedy’s single at the end of the game.
After allowing 16 runs in yesterday’s matchup against Oregon State, Fresno State head coach Trisha Ford said she was glad to see the pitching staff “flip the script.”
Kennedy also praised the pitching performance, saying that it made her job on the plate much easier knowing all they needed to do was get Willis home to get the win.
Oregon State 16, Fresno State 12
In what was a very anticipated event, Oregon State head coach Laura Berg, an alumna of Fresno State, had her jersey retired before Saturday’s game.
Her No. 44 jersey now hangs in the Margie Wright Diamond press box, where it stands as a testament to her achievements on the field including: a four-time All-American, three-time Gold Medalist, and ranking second in NCAA softball career hits with 396.
Coming into the game, the ‘Dogs were rolling on a five-game win streak only to have it broken by Oregon State.
The entire Fresno State pitching staff was exhausted within the first four innings, with Jill Compton, Taylor Langdon, Kiley Shae Aldridge, and finally Hannah Harris all pitching for the ‘Dogs. Harris had the best game out of the staff, pitching for three innings while not giving up a run. Meanwhile the rest of the pitching coup all gave up at least four runs during their stints.
The ‘Dogs were led by Michelle Solomon and Willis hitting back-to-back solo homeruns in the 4th inning, leading into a five-run rally in the 4th inning, however the rally would not be enough as either team wouldn’t score a run after the 4th inning resulting in a 12-16 loss for the ‘Dogs.
Fresno State 14, Rutgers 1
On Friday evening, Compton started in the circle giving up one earned run while striking out four in two innings pitched. Langdon came in for relief and did not give up a run in the final three innings pitched.
Fresno State got off to an early start by scoring seven of their 14 runs in the second inning, which featured three triples in the inning by Kennedy, Willis, and junior Alyssa Villalpando.
Although Rutgers was able to put up a run early in the first inning, just the fourth team to score before Fresno State has this season, they were never able to get back in the game after Fresno State’s impressive 2nd inning rally.
Fresno State 7, UC Santa Barbara 2
Compton threw for four innings giving up two earned runs while striking out three batters. Harris relieved Compton in the fifth inning and finished the game with one strikeout and no runs scored.
Fresno State center fielder Brenna Moss continued her streak of getting on base with one hit and two RBI’s, while fellow outfielder Michelle Solomon also managed two hits and two RBI’s to lead the ‘Dogs.
Fresno State will play again next weekend at the CSUF Judi Garman Classic starting on Friday, March 6 against Iowa at 7:30 p.m.