May 8, 2009

Box Score

FRESNO -- Fresno State pitcher Morgan Melloh tossed a three-hit shutout to lead the 25th ranked Bulldogs to a 5-0 win over Louisiana Tech Friday afternoon at Bulldog Diamond in the third day of the 2009 Western Athletic Conference Tournament.

Melloh allowed only three hits and four walks while striking out 11 as she led Fresno State into Saturday's championship round.

"She's a tough pitcher even on her off days," said Tech head coach Sarah Dawson. "We were patient at times and then we weren't at times. We had our opportunities but just never capitalized."

LA Tech (34-22) lost for the first time and will play the winner of the Nevada-Hawaii game tonight at 9 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcast live on KPCH 99.3 FM and at www.thepeach993.com.

Fresno State (35-18) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a two-out RBI single by Caitlin Stiglich in the top of the first inning off of Tech starter Meghan Krieg.

Tech had an opportunity to answer in the bottom of the first inning as Amberly Waits singled with two outs and advanced to second on a walk by Kylie Bassett before Jessica Kirby struck out swinging to end the threat.

The Lady Techsters had another golden opportunity in the bottom of the second inning as Claire Gibson singled and Krissi Oliver walked to put runners on first and second with no outs.

However, Amanda Parsonage struck out swinging and then Heather Doiron popped into a double play to end the frame.

"That was a big play defensively for them," Dawson said. "It was definitely a momentum changer. We needed to score on her early and we didn't."

Fresno State struck for three more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Back-to-back doubles by Lisamarie Coronada and Nicole Angene upped the Bulldog advantage to 2-0 and chased Krieg from the game.

Wanda Malone came on in relief and retired the first two batters she faced before surrendering an RBI double to Haley Gilleland and an RBI single by Alexis Badorine to make the score 4-0.

Fresno State then struck again in the sixth inning as the Bulldogs upped the lead to 5-0 on an RBI single by Michelle Moses which scored Haley Perkins. The Bulldogs loaded the bases against Malone before sophomore Jordan Simmons came on in relief.

Simmons induced two infield pop ups and then a deep fly ball out to Coronado to get out of the jam without Fresno State adding to its lead. Simmons retired all six batters she faced over the final 2.0 innings of action.

Tech had base runners in six of the seven innings against Melloh but couldn't capitalize as it was shut out for the first time since losing 3-0 to Fresno State on April 11 in Ruston.

Krieg (20-6) picked up the loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits in 3.0 innings of work.

Waits had two hits for LA Tech while Gibson added one.

"Every team comes to a time in their season where their back is up against a wall," Dawson said. "That's where we are. We either win or go home. We will see how much fight we have in us."