The No. 25 Fresno State softball team got down early vs. the No. 2 UCLA Bruins and fought back to tie the game early, but in the end the host team pulled out a 4-2 victory over the visiting ‘Dogs in the winners bracket of the Los Angeles Regional of the NCAA Tournament Saturday afternoon.

Fresno State (37-19) will play in an elimination game tonight of the Los Angeles Regional in the NCAA Tournament at 6 p.m. at Easton Stadium vs. the winner of the Long Beach State/UNLV game. The game can be heard live on 1430 ESPN Radio with Guy Haberman calling the action.

“I thought our team played hard,” said head coach Margie Wright. “I thought Morgan did a great job and we just need to focus on the winner of this next game and try to get back into the championship game tomorrow.”

A walk to Andrea Harrison was followed by a two run home run by Megan Langenfeld to left center in the first as UCLA jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.

Fresno State saw a great at bat by Caitlin Stiglich in the top of the second as the sophomore catcher drew the walk after fighting off 15 pitches. Then, on a 0-2 count, Lisamarie Coronado singled to left field and a fielder’s choice by Angene put two on with two outs.

A single to the pitcher by Ryane Petersen made a tough play for Langenfeld in the circle and the ‘Dogs scored off an error to cut the lead to 2-1.

The ‘Dogs then tied the game on the next pitch which was a single to right field by Brooke Phipps.

UCLA loaded the bases in the bottom of the third, but Morgan Melloh was able to get the Bruin catcher Kaila Shull to pop out to Haley Gilleland to end the inning.

Melloh struck out the side again in the bottom of the fourth and had six strikeouts in the game at that point.

UCLA got back-to-back hits to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. A two-RBI double to left field by Shull gave the Bruins a 4-2 lead.

Melloh finished with eight strikeouts and gave up just five hits in the game. Melloh’s record falls to 29-15 on the year.

Langenfeld got the win for UCLA which improves to 43-9 and will play in the regional final tomorrow at 12 p.m.