April 9, 2010

Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. - Senior pitcher Kate Greenough had one bad inning, but that one inning was enough to lead second-place Fresno State over the Utah State softball team 4-1 on Friday in Fresno. The game was the first of eight-straight road games for Utah State.

Utah State dropped to 14-18 overall and 3-5 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Aggies have now lost three-straight games after dropping a doubleheader to first place Hawai`i earlier in the week in Logan. Fresno State improves to 26-13 overall and 5-2 in league play. Utah State fell to 0-10 against Fresno State since joining the league for the 2006 season.

The Aggies were dealt an early blow when redshirt-sophomore third baseman had to leave the game after fouling a ball that hit her in the face.

Utah State threatened in the top of the second inning when with one out senior catcher Simone Hubbard singled to right center. After senior second baseman Emily Reilly flew out to left field, junior left fielder Megan McDonald singled to right to move Hubbard to third. Bulldog starting pitcher Michelle Moses was able to strike out freshman third baseman Tina Ferguson looking to end the threat.

A pitcher's duel had formed between USU starter, senior Kate Greenough, and Fresno State starter Michelle Moses. But the Bulldogs were able to break through in the bottom of the fourth inning. Moses led off the inning with a single to left. With one out, Caitlin Stiglich moved Moses to second with a single down the right field line. Fresno State took the 1-0 lead on a single by Lisamarie Coronado. Nicole Angene drove home pinch runner Kaylan Pollard with a single to left to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead. Fresno State added one more run to take a 3-0 lead heading in to the top of the fifth.

In the top of the sixth, Utah State challenged without the benefit of a base hit. Tindall opened the inning with a walk and stole second. Junior Joreigh Landers moved Tindall along on a fielder's choice but was called safe at first to put runners on first and second with no outs. Moses was able to get the next three batters to end the inning.

Angene led off the bottom of the sixth with a home run to stetch the Bulldog lead to 4-0.

Ferguson broke up the shutout with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. She lined a home run down the left field line to cut the lead to 4-1. It was the freshman's third home run of the season.

Greenough took the loss in the circle, falling to 7-9, while Moses improved to 6-0 with the win. Moses struck out 13 Aggies which tied a season high strikeouts for USU.

Utah State concludes the three-game WAC series with Fresno State on Saturday, April 10 with a doubleheader. Game time for the first game is set for 2 p.m. MT.

-USU-