STANFORD, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team wrapped up the Stanford Invitational with losses to Seattle and No. 18 Stanford in the final two games of the weekend.
GAME 1
Seattle (2-3) outhit Fresno State (1-3) in the game, 7-5. Junior right-handed pitcher Key-Annah Campbell Pu'a made her second start of the season, taking the loss and dropping to 1-2 on the season. Four pitchers took the circle for the Bulldogs. Sophomore right-hander Faith Jordan tossed 2.1 innings, recording two strikeouts.
Seattle took an early lead, putting up two runs on three hits through the first two innings.
Fresno State cut the lead in half in the third when Olivia Hill opened the inning with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, and stole home.
The Redhawks extended their lead in the fifth, scoring two runs on two hits.
Natalie Elias and Madison Rey both recorded doubles down the stretch, but the Bulldogs' offense was unable to capitalize, stranding three runners in scoring position. Seattle took the win, 4-1.
GAME 2
The Cardinal (4-0) outhit the Bulldogs (1-4), 14-2. Junior left-handed pitcher Serayah Neiss chalked the start, falling to 0-2 on the season. Three pitchers saw time in the circle.
Fresno State got off to a strong start against nationally ranked Stanford, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Rey hit her second double of the day, followed by a hit-by-pitch and two walks, which brought in the first run of the game.
Stanford responded quickly in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff home run, tying the game at 1-1.
The Bulldogs regained the lead in the top of the third when Lauren Almeida blasted a two-out home run, marking the first of the season for Fresno State. The Cardinal answered in the bottom of the third, scoring a run on two hits to make it 2-2.
Stanford took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth, adding a run with two singles and a fielder's choice.
The Cardinal's offense exploded in the bottom of the fifth. Three singles loaded the bases with no outs, and a walk drawn by the next batter brought in a run, leaving the bases still loaded. Kyra Chan then hit a grand slam, extending the lead to 8-2. Sydney Boulaphinh sealed the game with a two-run home run.
TOURNAMENT NOTES
Fresno State starts the season with four losses in the first five games for the first time since 2022.
Six players record their first career starts and hits as Bulldogs in Harleigh Braswell, Olivia Hill, Marissa Montelongo, Madison Rey, Kiara Sipe and Mallory Vancleave.
Freshman Rylee Bocchini made her first appearance in a Bulldog uniform.
Fresno State was outhit 48-20 through five games.
Junior Natalie Elias led the Bulldogs at the plate with five hits.
Sophomore Madison Rey has recorded a hit in three consecutive games.
Junior right-handed pitcher Key-Annah Campbell Pu'a recorded her first start and win as a Bulldog.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Hannah Duncan logged her first appearance in the circle.
Left-handed pitcher Hannah Ortega made her return to the circle after redshirting the 2024 season due to injury.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will host the Fresno State Kickoff Classic, Feb. 14-17 at Margie Wright Diamond. The weekend will open against LMU on Friday at 5:30 p.m.