FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team split its doubleheader with LMU on Friday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond. The Bulldogs (21-11, 2-4 MW) dropped the first game to the Lions (16-15, 0-0 WCC) 7-4 before winning the second game 4-3 in extra innings.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
LMU got on the board after two hitters following a double, a wild pitch, and a single to open the game.
The Lions tacked on three more in the second inning on three hits and an error. Alyssa Rebolledo kept the deficit at 4-0, ending the inning by throwing out a Lion at the plate from center.
LMU made it 5-0 in the top of the fourth with a one-out sacrifice fly.
Keahilele Mattson got the run back to lead off the bottom half of the inning with a solo shot to center. With runners on second and third and one out, Bella Rocco laid down a bunt to plate Emma Martinez to cut the deficit to 5-2.
Following a scoreless sixth, back-to-back doubles to lead off the inning resulted in a 7-2 lead for LMU. Entering as a pinch runner with one out, Taryn Irigoyen was brought in by Kealani Nitta.
LMU was sent down in order in the seventh and Fresno State tried to put together a rally in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and a runner on first, a single and a walk loaded the bases for Juliana Wilson. The redshirt junior went to left field to bring one in on a three-two count. Rocco faced the same count but saw a called strike three to end the game.
GAME 1 NOTES
Fresno State allowed 12 hits, its eighth game of the year allowing 10 or more hits (1-7).
Sophia Medellin recorded her eighth multi-hit game of the season.
Keahilele Mattson hit her fourth home run of the season and 30th of her career.
Juliana Wilson posted her fourth game of the year with multiple hits.
Ruby Anderson matched her season high in innings pitched with 5.0.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
For the second straight game, a lead-off hit for LMU led to the game's opening run. Sophia Medellin answered in a big way for the Bulldogs in the bottom half of the inning with a deep two-run shot inside the left-field foul pole.
Natalie Elias led off the third with a double, and Lauren Almeida found the left side of the infield with two outs to bring Elias in and make it 3-1.
The Lions responded with a lead-off walk and a double to get the run back.
Following a scoreless fifth, LMU tied the game at 3-3 with a two-out single.
In the bottom of the seventh, Juliana Wilson put Fresno State in position for a walk-off with a one-out triple, her third of the season. The 'Dogs were unable to bring her in as a ball bobbled by the shortstop turned into a play at the plate.
With Emma Martinez starting the eighth inning at second base, Kealani Nitta advanced her to third with a sacrifice bunt. Already with two hits in the game, Elias found the inside of the third base line to plate her teammate and split the doubleheader for the Bulldogs.
GAME 2 NOTES
Fresno State moved to 2-1 in extra innings in 2024.
Natalie Elias chalked her fifth game of the year with three hits.
It was Elias' 12th multi-hit game this season.
Elias scored two of the Bulldogs' four runs, her fifth game with at least two runs.
The game-winning RBI was Elias' eighth RBI of the season.
Keahilele Mattson registered her ninth game of the year with multiple hits.
Serayah Neiss moved to 9-5 on the year in the circle.
Neiss pitched a career-high 8.0 innings, two more than her previous high last weekend against San Diego State.
UP NEXT
Fresno State and LMU will play the series finale tomorrow with first pitch at 11 a.m. PT.