by RESNO, Calif. – Sophomore Hailey Dolcini allowed just four singles and one walk and struck out six in her fifth complete game shutout of the season, leading the Bulldogs to a 6-0 win over Nevada on Saturday at Margie Wright Diamond.
Fresno State (27-13, 5-6 MW) has won the first two games of the MW series and has outscored Nevada (21-16, 6-5 MW) 16-2 over the two contests. The Bulldogs clinched their second consecutive MW series win after taking 2-of-3 at UNLV last weekend. The ‘Dogs also earned their 17th home win, matching the home win total of each of the last three seasons with still eight home games remaining.
Hayleigh Galvan (Cherokee Nation) went 2-for-3 with a solo home run to lead the ‘Dogs offensively on Saturday. Kelcey Carrascowas also 2-for-3 and Vanessa Hernandez reached in all three plate appearances with an RBI double and two walks as Fresno State outhit Nevada 8-4 and played its third straight error-free game defensively.
How it Happened
Dolcini gave up a leadoff single to start the first inning but did not allow another hit until the fourth. The Bulldogs scored in the first inning for the 13th time this season, plating two runs to give Dolcini the early lead. McKenzie Wilson walked to open the inning, stole second, and scored on an RBI single from Rachel Minogue. After Galvan singled to move Minogue to second, Hernandez hit her third double of the series into left center to score another run.
Fresno State added to its lead in the third inning as Galvan hit her fifth home run of the season with two out (watch). Nevada was able to mount a bit of a threat in the fifth inning, tallying consecutive singles with two away to bring the tying run to the plate. After a nine pitch battle, Sadaria McAlister hit a line drive that went off the glove of third baseman Schuylar Broussard and was caught on the ricochet by shortstop Vanessa M. Hernandez to end the inning .
Dolcini retired the side in order in the top of the sixth and in the bottom half the Bulldogs doubled their lead to 6-0. Fresno State loaded the bases with nobody out on a walk, a failed fielder’s choice, and a single and pinch hitter Haley Fuller brought in Hernandez from third with a single. Vanessa M. Hernandez followed with a single past the third baseman to bring in one run and a misplay by the left fielder allowed Carrasco to score the third Bulldog run of the inning.
