FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team (15-9, 2-0 MW) swept the doubleheader against Boise State (19-8, 0-2 MW) to secure the first Mountain West series win of the season.
The Bulldogs won game one 8-0 in five innings before completing a 3-2 comeback victory in game two.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
The Bulldogs outhit the Broncos 11-6. Lauren Almeida led Fresno State at the plate going 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Pitcher Serayah Neiss went the distance, her second complete game of the season, earning her sixth win.
Fresno State got things going early in its Mountain West opener. Kealani Nitta was hit by a pitch and Emma Martinez singled through the right side to put the first two Bulldogs on base. A sac bunt advanced the runners, but it wasn't needed as Almeida hit a shot over the left field wall to put the 'Dogs up.
For the second straight inning, Serayah Neiss stranded a Bronco at second. Taryn Irigoyen led off the bottom half of the second with a single. Advancing to third after the next two hitters, the senior scored on a foul out to left by Nitta.
Fresno State got two of its first three batters on base in the bottom of the fifth. A misplayed ball by the Broncos' second baseman on a hit by Alyssa Ramirez advanced the runners, and brought Alyssa Orr in from third. Ava Tingey then came in to pinch run for Ramirez. The junior was caught stealing but the throw back to the plate was too late to catch McKenna Gieger as the Bulldogs extended their lead to 6-0.
In the sixth, a walk for Irigoyen was followed by singles from Madison Rey and Marissa Montelongo to start the inning. Two batters later, Kennedy Bunker hit a liner to left to bring in Montelongo and Rey to end the game at 8-0.
Neiss pitched scoreless six innings, scattering six hits and striking out five.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
The Bulldogs outhit the Broncos 10-4 in the contest. Emma Martinez led the team at the plate going 3-for-4 with one RBI. Three pitchers saw time in the circle. Faith Jordan went 5.1 innings for the 'Dogs with Hannah Ortega and Key-annah Campbell-Pu'a coming in relief.
Boise State led off the game with a single and a steal. A throwing error to first saw the Bronco's leadoff hitter come around to score. Four batters later, a single brought in the second run of the inning for the visitors.
The Bulldogs tried to halve the Broncos' lead in the bottom of the second. A single with a runner on second saw Ava Tingey thrown out at the plate.
Jordan and the Bulldogs defense sat down 15-straight batters from the final out in the first to the second out in the fifth.
After leaving six runners stranded through five innings, Fresno State got on the board. Nitta singled to third to open the inning, and Martinez followed with a single to left field. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch during the next at-bat. The Bulldogs used crafty baserunning on a fielder's choice to score their first run of the game. Almeida then belted a double to left field, putting runners at second and third with one out. However, the Broncos' pitcher responded with back-to-back strikeouts to maintain a 2-1 lead.
Boise State attempted to extend the lead in the top of the sixth. The Broncos had two runners on with one out. Fresno State made two pitching changes efficiently and stranded the runners.
The Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the frame. Alyssa Rebolledo belted a leadoff double to center field. Marissa Montelongo reached base on a bunt single, and a throwing error by the catcher on the play allowed Rebolledo to score. Tied 2-2, Emma Martinez hit an RBI single.
Campbell-Pu'a entered in relief and retired the Broncos in order in the top of the seventh, securing the game and the series win.
NOTABLE
Fresno State wins its first series of conference play.
Fresno State takes the series against Boise State for the second consecutive season.
Fresno State recorded its second run-rule victory of the season.
Pitcher Serayah Neiss picked up her sixth win of the season in.
Picher Keyannah Campbell-Pu'a picked up her fourth win of the season.
Madison Rey tied her season-high with three hits.
Emma Martinez had a season-high three hits.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will finish the series against Boise State tomorrow at 12 p.m. PT at Margie Wright Diamond.