BERKELEY, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team lost 3-0 to the California Golden Bears on Wednesday afternoon at Levine-Fricke Field at the base of Strawberry Canyon on the San Francisco Bay Area campus.
Fresno State (8-14) registered four hits in the competitive midweek contest at Cal (19-6), who was receiving votes in both national Top 25 polls this week and entered the game averaging more than six runs per game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first inning, Keahilele Mattson and Alesia Denby each singled and stole a base, but didn't score.
Shelbi Denman got the starting nod in the circle for the Bulldogs and tossed three clean frames before allowing back-to-back singles with one out in the fourth, which led to Cal's first two runs being scored later that inning.
The Golden Bears added one more run in the fifth en route to defending their home field.
NOTES
Fresno State catcher Kennedy Bunker caught Cal's speedy centerfielder Mika Lee trying to steal in the bottom of the first. This was the first time this season Lee has been caught attempting to steal a base (had been 4-for-4).
Fresno State shortstop Alesia Denby added another incredible defensive play to her highlight reel by leaping to catch a hard-hit line drive off the bat of Cal pinch hitter D'Auna Johnson in the fifth inning. Denby then quickly spun to double off Kennedy Thomas at first base by zipping a strike across the diamond.
Fresno State first baseman Jamie Hicks reached base in all three of her plate appearances, which included a single, walk and hit by pitch.
Fresno State's lead in its all-time series with California is now, 66-53.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will continue its extended Golden State road trip with a three-game series at LMU, which starts in Los Angeles with a doubleheader on Friday followed by a single game on Saturday.
The Bulldogs then travel to play at Sacramento State on Tuesday before opening Mountain West play at San Diego State with a three-game set from March 24-26 on the Montezuma Mesa.