STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific softball team returns home when it hosts Fresno State at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, at Bill Simoni Field.
 
The Tigers (4-12) are coming off a 3-1 win over Niagara to finish the Hawaii Spring Fling Tournament last Sunday, rounding out the weekend with two wins. The Tigers accumulated seven hits throughout the win over the Purple Eagles, with Kyla Eck tying a career-high three in four at-bats. Notching her third multi-hit game of the season, Eck added one RBI, a single in the fourth inning, supplying the Tigers with the go-ahead run.
 
Scarlett Lloyd earned the start in the circle and pitched five strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits and recording four strikeouts against the Purple Eagles. Avery Croxall finished the game's final two innings and pitched a shutout, allowing only one baserunner to earn her second save of the season.
 
Delaney Scully led the team offensively throughout the weekend, tallying seven hits in five games. Scully also added two RBI and swiped one base in two attempts. Through 16 games this season, Scully has recorded a .319 batting average and is tied with Carly Lucchetti with a team-leading 15 hits.
 
The Bulldogs (7-10) enter the midweek contest with a sub-.500 record and have lost five straight games. In a loaded Judi Garman Classic last weekend at Cal State Fullerton, the Bulldogs dropped games to nationally ranked UCLA, Oregon while suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to UCF. The team also fell to Cal Poly and Seattle U during the five-game tournament.
 
Keahilele Mattson leads the Bulldogs offensively, tallying 18 hits in 47 at-bats for a team-leading .383 batting average. In 17 games this season, Mattson has accumulated a .723 slugging percentage and has drawn a team-high 13 walks.
 
Bailey Williams leads the team with 18 RBI and ranks fifth on the team with a .286 batting average.
 
Taylor Gilmore has been the Bulldogs' ace in the circle this season, leading the team with a 2.83 earned-run average. In 15 appearances, Gilmore has accumulated a 2-2 record and 26 strikeouts.
 
Since the 2006 season, the two programs have faced off 22 times, with Fresno State holding a 19-3 advantage. The Bulldogs earned the 5-2 victory over the Tigers last season, increasing their win streak to 10 straight. The Tigers last defeated the Bulldogs on March 13, 2014, in a 5-3 victory on the road.

For more information about the 2023 season and future events, follow Pacific softball on social media and download the Pacific Athletics mobile app.