RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The Fresno State softball team split the second day of the Lynn Miller Classic. The Bulldogs defeated Montana 8-4 before falling to Middle Tennessee 5-4, on Saturday afternoon.
Junior Keahilele Mattson went 5-for-6 on the day with two doubles, one home run, four RBIs and two walks. Freshman Jamie Hicks stepped up at the plate going 3-for-5 with one double, one RBI and drew one walk.
In the circle, freshman Serayah Neiss led the way with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings, limiting opposing batters to a .125 batting average.
GAME 1
Abby Doughty opened the day with a lead-off triple. Alesia Denby followed with a sacrifice fly to plate the first run. Back-to-back singles brought in two additional runs to give the 'Dogs a 3-0 lead.
Fresno State extended its lead in the fourth inning with back-to-back doubles to take a 5-0 advantage over Montana. Mattson logged another RBI in the next frame with a single.
The Grizzlies outscored the 'Dogs 4-2 down stretch, but Fresno State took the win 8-4.
GAME 2
Neiss dished four strikeouts through two innings to keep the game scoreless. In the third, Mattson blasted her second home run of the season to give Fresno State a 2-0 lead.
In the sixth, the Bulldogs and the Raiders exchanged runs making it a 4-1 game going into the final inning.
Middle Tennessee strung together a few hits to make it a two-run game, without an out. Then the Raiders sent a three-run home run over the fence to take a 5-4 lead.
The 'Dogs were sent down in order in the bottom of the frame, suffering their first lost of the season.
WHAT'S NEXT
Fresno State will face host UC Riverside in a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 11:30 a.m. PT.