Fresno State softball team needs one win to finish off perfect conference season
Plenty of offense and a complete game in the circle from senior Taylor Langdon helped the Fresno State softball team overcome a slow start to beat UNLV on Friday and move within a game of a perfect Mountain West season.
The Bulldogs, down 2-0 in the third after a series of defensive errors, rallied for a 6-2 come-from-behind win over the Rebels.
The momentum changed in the bottom of the third on a three-run rally, with Kierra Willis’ game-tying, two-run triple highlighting a three-run rally. Alyssa Villalpando gave Fresno State (41-9-1, 22-0) the lead on base hit to the gap in right-center.
I’m just excited that we get this opportunity to come out (Saturday) and make history.
Coach Trisha Ford on Fresno State’s shot at going undefeated in the Mountain West heading into the conference finale
Fresno State added another run in the fourth, then two in the sixth on Lindsey Willmon’s two-out single.
Langdon (4-1) was in the zone down the stretch, retiring the final 10 Rebels. Langdon allowed four hits, with both runs unearned, while striking out four while pitching the Bulldogs to their nation-leading 23rd consecutive win.
“It’s senior weekend, she earned that start and I’m just excited that she was able to come out and get us a win,” coach Trisha Ford said. “I think she threw her best seven innings in a Bulldog uniform.”
The teams wrap up at noon Saturday at Margie Wright Diamond, with the team’s eight seniors to be honored before the game. After the game, the Bulldogs will be presented with the Mountain West Championship trophy and begin looking forward to the NCAA Tournament.
“We’ve worked hard and it’s a total production. We’ve got a great field crew, great administration, and most importantly, our girls are putting in work,” Ford added.
“I’m just excited that we get this opportunity to come out (Saturday) and make history.”
The NCAA field will be announced at 7 p.m. Sunday on ESPNU.
Angel Moreno: 559-441-6401, @anhelllll
Senior day
MOUNTAIN WEST FINALE: FRESNO STATE VS. UNLV
- Saturday: Noon at Margie Wright Diamond
- Records: Bulldogs 41-9-1, 22-0 Mountain West; Rebels 23-31, 7-16
- Webcast/radio: Mountain West Network (themw.com)/KFPT (AM 790)
- Of note: Departing players Paige Gumz, Jill Compton, Taylor Langdon, Hannah Harris, Bria Kennedy, Whitney Smith, Alyssa Villalpando and Victoria Trevino will be saluted as part of senior weekend before the first pitch. … The team also will be presented with its 2016 conference championship trophy after the game.
This story was originally published May 13, 2016 at 9:20 PM with the headline "Fresno State softball team needs one win to finish off perfect conference season."