CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team split the first day of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, falling to Minnesota 7-6 in extra innings before defeating Seattle 6-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. MINNESOTA
Minnesota took a 2-0 lead through three innings. In the fourth, Fresno State halved the deficit as Madison Rey hit a one-out double to left field, and Kennedy Bunker brought her home with a single to center.
The Gophers responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run on two hits. The Bulldogs then tied the game with a run in both the fifth and sixth innings, making it 4-4.
Fresno State took its first lead of the game in the seventh. Alyssa Rebolledo led off with a single and advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly. She scored on an error by the shortstop.
Minnesota tied it up in the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run, sending the game to extra innings.
Rey opened the eighth inning with her third extra-base hit of the game, a double to left that scored the runner on second. Taryn Irigoyen then singled to right field, bringing Rey home to give Fresno State a 6-4 lead.
The Gophers struck back with a leadoff single, and the runner on second came home after a center field error. The Bulldogs' defense retired the next two batters. Minnesota later hit a two-out triple to tie the game at 6-6, but the next batter singled to win the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. SEATTLE
Fresno State jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Alyssa Rebolledo led off with a one-out single and quickly stole second. After the next batter was retired, Marissa Montelongo hit a two-out double to left, bringing in the first run of the game. Natalie Elias followed with another double, driving in the second run of the inning.
The Bulldogs added three more runs in the top of the fourth. Montelongo opened the inning with a single to right and stole second during the next at-bat. Kennedy Bunker and Lauren Almeida then drew back-to-back two-out walks to load the bases. Taryn Irigoyen cleared them with a double to right field.
Seattle got on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth.
Fresno State added another run in the fifth with a home run from Kiara Sipe, and Seattle answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning.
The Bulldogs went on to defeat the Redhawks, 6-2.
NOTABLE
Madison Rey had a career-high three hits against Minnesota.
Alyssa Rebolledo tied her career-high with two hits against Minnesota.
Marissa Montelongo chalked a season-high three hits against Seattle.
Taryn Irigoyen recorded a season-high three RBIs against Seattle.
Kiara Sipe hit the first home run of her career against Seattle.
Natalie Elias had her fourth game of the season with multiple hits against Seattle.
Hannah Duncan earned the first win of her career against Seattle.
Kennedy Bunker has reached base in seven straight games.
Lauren Almeida is on a five-game winning streak.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will face Bethune-Cookman tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. PT.