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Aztecs hand Bulldogs their first run-rule loss in Mountain West history
Source: goaztecs.com
Video courtesy goaztecs.com
April 20, 2018 (Fresno) - The San Diego State softball team run-ruled league-leading Fresno State, 10-0, in five innings to take the series opener Friday night at Margie Wright Diamond in Fresno, Calif. It is the first time in Mountain West history that the Bulldogs (27-16, 10-3 MW) were run-ruled in a league game.
Additionally, it was the worst loss by FS at home since losing to UNLV, 12-2, in six innings on April 4, 2012.
The Aztecs (14-16, 5-8 MW) outhit Fresno State, 9-4, and also got a complete game shutout by pitcher Marissa Moreno.
SDSU jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Shelby Thompson ripped a 2-1 pitch over the right-center field fence. Kiera Wright also scored on the play after reaching on an error and stealing second base.
FS threatened in the bottom of the first after Katie Castellon was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to third on a single by Savanna McHellon. Moreno (4-14), however, got out of the inning by getting cleanup hitter Hayleigh Galvan and Rachel Minogue on back-to-back groundouts.
After Moreno stranded another runner on third in the second inning, the Aztecs got into scoring position when Thompson reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and moved to third on a groundout. With two outs, Kelsey Munoz ripped a double down the left-field line to make it 3-0, SDSU. Taylor Adams followed with a single up the middle and, after Fresno State centerfielder Vanessa Hernandez mishandled the ball, Munoz scored.
The Bulldogs got a runner into scoring position for a third straight inning in the bottom of the third, but Moreno got Minogue to line right back to her in the circle with two outs.
San Diego State added four runs in the fourth - all with two outs - to effectively put the game away. The RBIs came on singles by Wright and Thompson, and a two-run double by Munoz.
After retiring FS in order in the bottom of the fourth, the Aztecs tacked on two more runs in the fifth for good measure. Iesha Hill first singled down the right-field line to score Taylor Stewart. Wright later knocked in Aris Metcalfe on a groundout for the final run of the game.
Fresno State made one last ditch effort to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth when it loaded the bases, but with two outs Moreno got Minogue to ground out to Byrd at second to secure the shutout.
Thompson and Munoz each had two hits and three RBIs to pace SDSU. Thompson homered, stole a base and scored three runs, while Munoz had two doubles and a run.
Wright, meanwhile, singled, had two RBIs, two runs and was hit by a pitch. Hill added the RBI single, a run and was hit by a pitch, and Stewart walked twice and scored a run.
Moreno allowed just four hits (all singles) and two walks over five innings to pick up her second shutout of the season (and career).
San Diego State finished 9-for-20 (.450) with runners on base and 7-for-14 (.500) with runners in scoring position, while the Bulldogs were just 3-for-12 (.250) with runners on and 1-for-8 (.125) with runners in scoring position.
NOTE I
San Diego State won its 49th straight game when scoring at least 10 runs. SDSU’s 10 runs tonight were a season high.
NOTE II
The Aztecs improved to 10-8 on the season in night games (SDSU is 4-18 in day games).
UP NEXT
Game No. 2 of the series between SDSU and FS is at 3 p.m. Saturday.
San Diego State 10, Fresno State 0 (5 innings)
San Diego State (14-26, 5-8 MW) 202 42 -- 10 9 1
Fresno State (27-16, 10-3 MW) 000 00 -- 0 4 2
Geil and Burda; Moreno, Formby (5) and Sturdivant
Moreno and Sturdivant; East, Santana (4) and Galvan
W - Moreno, 4-14; L - East, 14-8
HR: San Diego State, Thompson (3)
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