April 4, 2009
Final Stats
FRESNO, Calif. - The headline says it all.
The series-ending doubleheader between the No. 22 Fresno State Bulldogs and Hawai'i had a little bit of everything as Hawai'i pulled out two victories, 7-4 (16) and 2-1 over the `Dogs in Western Athletic Conference play at Bulldog Diamond on Saturday afternoon.
Fresno State is now 23-15 overall and 6-3 in WAC play while Hawai'i moves to 17-20 and 5-4 in the conference.
Game One - Hawai'i 7, Fresno State 4 (16 innings)
Mackenzie Oakes for Fresno State and Courtney Baughman for Hawai'i were the two starting pitchers, but neither got the decision and in the end it was all about Morgan Melloh and Stephanie Ricketts.
Oakes pitched 2.1 innings and allowed two runs, one unearned, off of four hits. Baughman pitched 3.2 innings while giving up one run on five hits.
Hawai'i was up 2-0 after three innings with a solo home run to left field to lead off the top of the second by Amanda Tauali'i and back-to-back hits in the top of the third by Makani Duhaylonsod and Tauali'i.
The first hit of the game for the `Dogs was a single to left center by Brooke Phipps in the bottom of the third. Mallory Perkins followed with a single bunt to third base. With two outs, Haley Gilleland hit a bunt single back to the pitchers circle. But the `Dogs would leave the bases loaded.
The first pitch in the bottom of the fourth Michelle Moses hit to the berm over the right field wall to get the `Dogs on the board and cut the lead to one, 2-1.
Fresno State tied the game in the sixth as Moses doubled to right and Jody Badorine entered to pinch run. With two outs, a single by Nicole Angene drove in Badorine from second.
Tied after seven, neither team would get on the board again until the top of the 12th.
When Melloh entered the game with one out in the third till the top of the 12th, she had a perfect game as she retired 26-straight Rainbow Wahine batters, allowed no hits and walked none.
An error by Haley Perkins on the first Hawai'i batter in the 12th, allowed the first runner on base since Melloh entered. With the bases loaded, a single brought in two runs, unearned, for a 4-2 lead for Hawai'i.
The `Dogs though came up to bat in the 12th determined to continue playing as Alexis Lujan led off the top of the inning with a single to second base. With one out, Mallory Perkins reached on a fielder's choice. Then with two outs, Caitlin Stiglich singled to center to score Haley Perkins from second and tie the game at 4-4.
Melloh tied her season-high in strikeouts at 16 to lead off the 13th inning and matched her career-high of 17 to the leadoff batter in the 14th inning. She ended with 20 K's, just two off of the school record for a single game in Fresno State history that was set in a 17 inning game vs. Tulsa exactly seven years ago today by Jamie Southern.
"I felt good out there today," Melloh said. "I just went out there to do my job and didn't think about getting tired. I just wanted to keep pitching."
Phipps hit her first double of the season with one out in the 14th. Phipps would reach third but be left stranded.
Hawai'i took control in the top of the 16th, after back-to-back singles by Duhaylonsod and Tauali'I, a three run home run by Kanani Pu'u-Warren gave Hawai'i the 7-4 lead and victory.
Melloh allowed four hits, three earned runs and just one walk to go along with the strikeouts in 13.2 innings of work. Ricketts pitched 12.1 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
It was the longest game of the season for the `Dogs and believed to be the longest ever in Hawai'i softball history.
The `Dogs ended with 13 hits and got two each from Gilleland, Moses, Lujan and Phipps.
Game Two - Hawai'i 2, Fresno State 1
Bulldog sophomore Ryane Petersen (0-1) made her first appearance and start of the season in the circle for the `Dogs in game two. She allowed two runs on five hits in 1.1 innings of work.
Melloh entered to pitch 5.2 innings and allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out another eight batters. She ended the day with 28 strikeouts in the two games combined.
Hawai'i got two runs off of Petersen, one each in the first and second innings.
The lone run for the `Dogs was a solo home run by Lujan. She took the first pitch in the bottom of the sixth off of Ricketts deep. It was her second home run of the year.
Fresno State had eight hits in the game, led by Gilleland and Badorine with two each.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs host UC Santa Barbara Monday, April 6 in a doubleheader starting at 6 pm in Bulldog Diamond. It's Fresno State Faculty Appreciation Night and all Fresno State faculty and staff will receive FREE admission when presenting their Fresno State ID and can also purchase up to four more general admission tickets for $2 each. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
