Rutgers
3-4
Fresno State
13-4
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Fresno State | 1 | 7 | 3 | 3 | X | 14 | 14 | 2 |
Softball Downed by Fresno State
Feb 28 | Softball
FRESNO, CALIF. (Feb. 27, 2015) - Following a 4-0 shutout of Saint Mary's to open the day, the Rutgers softball team fell to host Fresno State, 14-1, on Friday night at the Margie Wright Diamond.
Rutgers moves to an overall record of 3-4, while Fresno State improves to 13-4.
Despite the loss, senior Chandler Howard (North Wilmington, Del.) extended her hit streak to seven straight games. Senior Jackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.), junior Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.) and sophomore Dana Hendry (Yorba Linda, Calif.) each registered hits in the contest.
THE GAME
Howard singled in her first at bat of the night to expand her hit streak to seven consecutive games. Up next, Jackie Bates reached first on an error, advancing Howard. Due to another Bulldog miscue, Slowinski reached base as Howard scored to put RU on the board.
Bates nearly earned a second run for the Scarlet Knights in a back-and-forth battle between third base and home plate, but was ultimately tagged out.
The Bulldogs responded by tying the score, 1-1, in the bottom of third. However, Rutgers stumped Fresno State's offense with a strikeout from junior Dresden Maddox (Kennesaw, Ga.) and a put out from Bates at center field to end the inning and retire the leading run on base.
Moving to the bottom of the second, Fresno State registered back-to-back triples to jump in front, 3-1. The Scarlet Knights would put out the next two batters, however, the Bulldogs would quickly expand their advantage to, 6-1, via a triple from Kierra Willis.
Sophomore Shayla Sweeney (Barrington, N.J.) entered the circle for RU. Although two more runs would score, Sweeney would shut down the rally with a strikeout. The Bulldogs ended the second inning with six hits, two stolen bases, two left on base and an 8-1 edge.
The Bulldogs added on three runs in the third and three more in the fourth, extending their lead to 14-1.
Despite the four hits from RU across the remaining innings, the Scarlet Knights were unable to cut into the deficit, falling in the fifth inning.
Rutgers is back in action tomorrow against UC-Santa Barbara at 1 p.m. ET, followed by a matchup with Saint Mary's at 3:30 p.m. ET.
KNIGHT NOTES
- Senior outfielder Chandler Howard extended her hit streak to seven consecutive games.
- Jackie Bates registered her second double of the season. She recorded the first of this season in the game against Saint Mary's.
- Bates led the outfielders with four put outs at center field.
- Melanie Slowinski tied her season-high with one run batted in.
- Aubrie Levine made her sixth appearance in the circle as a Scarlet Knight and second of the season.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers softball, follow the program on Twitter (@RUSoftball) and Instagram (@RU_Softball). The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersSB ).
-RU-
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: LANGDON, Taylor (2-0)
L: Maddox, Dresden (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Bates, Jackie 1
RBI: Slowinski, Melanie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Howard, Chandler 1
Batting:
3B: WILLIS, Kierra 2 ; VILLALPANDO, Alyssa 1 ; KENNEDY, Bria 1
RBI: RIVERS, Malia 1 ; SOLOMON, Michelle 4 ; WILLIS, Kierra 4 ; KENNEDY, Bria 3 ; LEEHONG, Chase 1
SF: LEEHONG, Chase 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MOSS, Brenna 3 ; RIVERS, Malia 1 ; SOLOMON, Michelle 2 ; WILLIS, Kierra 2 ; GUMZ, Paige 1 ; VILLALPANDO, Alyssa 1 ; KENNEDY, Bria 2 ; LEEHONG, Chase 1 ; RODRIGUEZ, Christina 1
SB: MOSS, Brenna 1 ; RIVERS, Malia 1 ; RODRIGUEZ, Christina 1
HBP: WILLIS, Kierra 1
