SAN DIEGO – The Fresno State softball team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 6-3 on Friday night at SDSU Softball Stadium.
This was the third straight win for Fresno State (11-16, 1-0 Mountain West), who rose into sole possession of first place in the conference standings.
It was also marked the third straight that Juliana Wilson has hit a home run for the Bulldogs, which came in crunch time in Friday's win over the defending Mountain West champion San Diego State (16-10, 1-3 MW), who entered the game ranked No. 38 nationally in RPI.HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State turned on attack mode from the onset and got its leadoff batter on base in five of the first six innings.
The Bulldogs scored two runs in the third after Juliana Wilson ripped a triple down the right field line to drive in Emma Martinez, who had led off the frame with a single. Wilson then scored on an RBI bunt single by Jamie Hicks later in the third.
SDSU answered two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead on the Bulldogs.
In the sixth, Shaunessy Cardwell drew a leadoff walk and was pinch run for by Ava Tingey, who came around to even the game at 3-3 on Keahilele Mattson's one-out RBI single.
Moments later, Juliana Wilson cleared the bases by crushing her third home run in as many games with a three-run go-ahead shot over the right center field wall.
Fresno State freshman pitcher Serayah Neiss delivered a strong start for the Bulldogs in 3.0 innings in the circle and allowed just a single run.
Taylor Gilmore and Shelbi Denman went the rest of the way with Denman earning her fifth victory of the season. Denman threw 2.2 scoreless innings in her 14th appearance of the season.UP NEXT
Fresno State and San Diego State in game two of the three-game series at SDSU Softball Stadium on Saturday at 4 p.m. PT