March 31, 2009

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - Playing a single non-conference contest at home before heading back out on the road for conference action, the Pacific softball team was outdueled by No. 22 Fresno State, 3-0, on Tuesday, March 31. The loss dropped the Tigers to 15-19 overall on the year while the Bulldogs improved to 22-13.

In a game in which neither team could find their way with the bat, the final outcome came down to which team capitalized best on the mistakes of their opponents. Through four and two thirds innings of the contest, both freshman Gabby McDaniel (Sacramento, Calif.) and Fresno's Morgan Melloh held the offenses of the Bulldogs and Tigers in check by throwing dueling no-hitters in the circle.

However, Melloh's no-hit bid was also a bid for perfection as the Bulldog hurler kept the bases clear of Tigers through the first 10 hitters until finally giving up a walk to sophomore Lindsey Pierce (Camarillo, Calif.) in the bottom of the fourth. For McDaniel, her no-hit bid was only marred by a touch of wildness as the freshman struck out five Bulldogs, but also walked six in her time in the circle.

McDaniel's walks would prove to be the difference in the contest between herself and Melloh as the Bulldogs turned inning opening walks in the second and the fourth into a pair of runs in support of their pitcher. In the second an errant throw by the Tigers' defense gave the Bulldogs' their first run of the game while a two-out single through the left side by Lindsey Coronado ran home the second run of the game. Fresno State would add another run in the sixth, taking advantage of the Tigers' third error in the contest to come away with another insurance run.

With three runs of support, Melloh finished off the Tigers at the plate, allowing just two more batters to reach base in the contest as she faced three batters over the minimum. Vying for the no-hit bid, Melloh suffered her disappointment in the bottom of the seventh inning when junior Karie Wilson (Glendale, Ariz.) played spoiler, lining a single up the middle with two outs in the inning to give the Tigers their first and only hit of the afternoon.

The six and two thirds inning no hit bid was the third of the season for Melloh who improved to 16-10 on the year. In seven complete innings pitched, Melloh stuck out 15 while walking just two. For McDaniel, the loss dropped her to 2-5 on the year. In five innings, the freshman gave up one hit and two runs. In relief, senior Chelsea Engle (Folsom, Calif.) pitched two innings while giving up one hit and one unearned run. She also struck out two and walked one.

The win marked the third straight for the Bulldogs over the Tigers dating back to last season.

Pacific will head back on the road on Saturday, April 4 as the Tigers head to UC Davis for a Big West double header. The contests begin at 12:00 pm.