FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team went 4-0 in the Fresno State Kickoff Classic, defeating Utah 4-3 in the final game on Monday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond.
The Bulldogs (5-4) have won four straight games, starting the season 4-0 at home.
Kennedy Bunker went 2-for-3 at the plate for Fresno State. Lauren Almeida had her second three-RBI game of the weekend. Serayah Neiss started in the circle, with Key-Annah Campbell-Pu'a and Faith Jordan coming in relief. Jordan earned her first win of the season, pitching the final 2.2 innings of the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Utah took an early lead when a shortstop error was followed by a base hit, putting two runners on base. A triple down the right field line brought in two runs for the Utes.
The Utes threatened again in the third inning, starting with a double to center field. However, Marissa Montelongo made an incredible defensive play, executing an unassisted double play to clear the bases.
Fresno State responded in the bottom of the third, beginning with a double from Natalie Elias. Kennedy Bunker followed with a single to left, advancing Elias to third. Lauren Almeida then hit a home run over the center field wall, giving the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead.
With three outs left in the top of the seventh to end the game, the Utes came charging back. They started the inning with an infield single, and the next batter reached on another shortstop error, allowing the lead runner to move to third. After Jordan struck out the next batter, the following Ute hit a high fly ball into foul territory. Taryn Irigoyen made a fantastic diving catch, but the runner on third tagged up and scored on the sacrifice fly, tying the game.
In a repeat of last night's game between these two teams, the contest went into extra innings after the Utes' pitcher retired the side in the bottom of the seventh.
Jordan and the defense sent the Utah batters down in order to start the eighth.
Almeida, who finished the tournament with nine RBIs, was intentionally walked to start the bottom of the inning. Olivia Hill then executed a sacrifice bunt, advancing the runner on second to third. Alyssa Rebolledo followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in the game-winning run.
GAME NOTES
Fresno State has won four straight games.
Fresno State is 2-0 in extra-inning games.
Kennedy Bunker had her second game of the season with multiple hits.
Lauren Almeida had a season-high three hits for the second consecutive game.
Faith Jordan earned her first win of the season in the circle
Rylee Bocchini recorded her first start as a Bulldog.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will travel to compete in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, Feb. 21-23.