Fresno State softball: Bulldogs undefeated to start season

Fresno State wants to be nationally ranked, and it proved its worthiness in Tempe, Ariz., this weekend, knocking off No. 23 Utah 2-0 on Sunday to improve to 5-0 after an unbeaten run at Arizona State’s Kajikawa Classic.

The Bulldogs got a strong start in the circle from senior Jill Compton, who had three strikeouts in the shutout for her third win of the weekend. Compton gave up seven hits but was backed up by her defense, which helped her strand nine Utes on base.

Fresno State junior transfer Lindsey Willmon got the offense going in the bottom of the fifth, leading off with a single up the middle. Willmon advanced to third via a walk and passed ball and scored on Whitney Smith’s squeeze bunt. Malia Rivers drove in another run with a grounder to the right side, allowing pinch runner Christina Rodriguez to score from third.

In the top of the seventh, Compton struck out the first hitter before the infield closed the game with a 6-3 double play.

The win was the Bulldogs’ second in three days against a nationally ranked opponent. They upset No. 8 Tennessee 7-3 on Friday.

On Saturday, Fresno State escaped with close victories over Seattle University (7-3) and Boston College (3-1).

The Bulldogs came back from a 2-0 deficit against Seattle with a five-run third inning, highlighted by back-to-back triples from Alyssa Villalpando and Kierra Willis.

Against Boston College, Fresno State rallied in the top of the seventh to score all three runs and escape with the win.

The rally started with two errors, putting two Bulldogs runners in scoring position and setting up Rivers to tie the score with a single to left. Another infield error gave Fresno State a 2-1 lead. Paige Gumz hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to make it 3-1.

The Bulldogs return to Margie Wright Diamond, where they will open their home slate Friday with the first day of the Fresno State Kick-Off.

This story was originally published February 14, 2016 at 7:08 PM with the headline "Fresno State softball: Bulldogs undefeated to start season."