Liberty University
0-3
Fresno State
2-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Fresno State | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 2 | 7 | 1 |
No. 14 Fresno State Edges Lady Flames
2/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Fresno State pitcher Mackenzie Oakes held the Lady Flames to two hits en route to a 2-0 victory, Saturday night, at the Cathedral City Kick Off. The delayed game, originally scheduled for 3 p.m. local time, began at 5:30 p.m., and was played on a replica of Fenway Park.
With the loss, the Lady Flames dropped to 0-3 on the season, while the No. 14 Bulldogs improve to 2-1.
The Lady Flames gained offensive momentum in the top of the second inning when Beth Bennett reached on a Fresno State fielding error and advanced on a Kaylee West sacrifice bunt. Ashley Bensinger then singled down the left field line and moved to second on the throw.
But Cassie Hendrix was not able to get a bunt down on a called suicide squeeze play, which eventually saw both Bennett and Bensinger tagged out on the play.
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning, when Brooke Phipps singled to center field, and then advanced to third on a Liberty fielding error. Phipps then scored to put Fresno State on the board when Mallory Perkins reached on an infield single.
The Bulldogs added their second and final run in the bottom of the fourth inning, sparked by an Andrea Ortega double down the left field line. Ortega advanced to third when Nicole Angene grounded out to second, and crossed the plate to make the score 2-0 when designated player Ryane Petersen belted a single to left field.
The Lady Flames looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh when Bennett led off the inning with a single to left field. But the Bulldogs put the game away after West hit into a double play and Bensinger grounded back to the pitcher.
Oakes, who pitched a complete game for Fresno State, struck out four and walked three to pick up her first win of 2009.
Liberty pitcher Sarah Ellis allowed seven hits and one earned run to take the loss. The tough-luck loss drops the senior to 0-2 on the year.
Fresno State was paced offensively by Ortega (1-for-3, with a run scored) and Phipps (1-for-2, with a run scored).
Bennett and Bensinger led the Lady Flames, batting 1-for-3 and 1-for-2, respectively.
Following a change up in the schedule due to the day's inclement weather, Liberty will be back in action later this evening against UC Davis.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Oakes, Mackenzie (1-0)
L: Ellis, Sarah (0-2)
Batting:
SH: West, Kaylee 1
Base Running:
CS: Bennett, Beth 1 ; Bensinger, Ashley 1
Batting:
2B: Gilleland, Haley 1 ; Ortega, Andrea 1
RBI: Petersen, Ryane 1 ; Perkins, Mallory 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ortega, Andrea 1 ; Phipps, Brooke 1
CS: Badorine, Jody 1
