FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team has won four straight games. The Bulldogs swept the doubleheader against Saint Mary's, winning the first game 2-1 and the second game 4-2.
How It Happened – Game 1
Saint Mary's got on the board first. A leadoff single later resulted in a two-out error that saw the first runner of the game cross the plate. The Bulldogs answered right back in the bottom half of the inning. On a 1-1 count, Emma Martinez hit a solo home run over the left field wall.
The two teams combined for just six hits over the next five-and-a-half innings. Faith Jordan came in for Serayah Neiss in the fifth and retired nine straight Saint Mary's batters with the last six all on ground outs.
In the bottom of the seventh, Alyssa Rebolledo led off the inning for the 'Dogs with a double to the center field wall that got over the outfielder's reach. Three batters later Kennedy Bunker was facing a two-two count. The catcher then found a pitch on the outer half of the plate and drove it through the left side out of the reach of the Gael's shortstop to bring Rebolledo in for the walk-off win.
How It Happened – Game 2
After earning the win in the Game 1, Faith Jordan earned the start in the Game 2. The sophomore got out the top of the first despite allowing a two-out double. Kealani Nitta led off the bottom half of the inning with walk, but was then forced out at second on a fielder's choice. Emma Martinez then stole second. After a fly out, Lauren Almeida stepped to the plate for the 'Dogs. The senior turned on a 1-0 inside pitch and drove it over the left field wall to give Fresno State an early 2-0 lead.
Both sides went 1-2-3 in the second and Saint Mary's began to get at Jordan in the third, totaling three hits before the sophomore got out of the inning. A leadoff double in the top fourth set up the Gael's first run of the game. Two batters later, a single halved the Bulldogs' advantage.
Saint Mary's continued to get to Jordan in the top of the fifth, loading the bases with no outs through a single, a walk and a hit batter. Key Annah-Campbell Pu'a then entered in relief. A fielder's choice to short led to the Gaels tying the game at 2-2. With the runners advancing on a deep fly ball, the visitors nearly took the lead on a chopper to Marissa Montelongo, but the second baseman gathered herself and beat the runner with her throw to first.
Jamie Hicks led off the bottom half of the inning with a single to center for the Bulldogs. Madison Rey was brought in to pinch run and advance to second on a wild pitch. Montelongo then laid down a bunt to advance Rey to third. Nitta tried to bring her teammate in, but Rey was caught at the plate. The Bulldogs' staff challenged the call and following a review, Rey was granted home on an obstruction call on the catcher.
The Gaels responded by loading the bases in the top of the sixth with one just one out. Campbell-Pu'a got out of the jam though with the help of Almeida. A liner was caught by the first baseman and a quick throw doubled off the runner at second.
Fresno State got its first two runners on in the bottom of the inning. Following a sacrifice bunt to advance them into scoring position, Alyssa Rebolledo brought Alyssa Orr across the plate with the fly ball to give the Bulldogs an insurance run.
Up Next
Fresno State will begin Mountain West play next weekend, hosting Boise State for a three-game series at Margie Wright Diamond. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT.