FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team battled, but came up short 7-3 to the No. 8/9-ranked Stanford Cardinal on Wednesday night in a midweek nonconference game at Margie Wright Diamond.
This was just the fourth time this season that one of Stanford's nonconference opponents scored three or more runs against the Cardinal (No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 16 Duke and Charlotte) and it was the first time since Feb. 18.
Fresno State (20-25) connected for six hits, including two each by third baseman Bella Rocco and leftfielder Keahilele Mattson, in the contest, which saw freshman ace NiJaree Canady throw four innings and improve to 10-0 this season in the circle for Stanford (35-10).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State got on the board with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when Mattson drove in a run with an infield single, and then Juliana Wilson and Kennedy Bunker each recorded sacrifice flies later in the frame.
Earlier in the game, Stanford scored four runs in the first inning, one in the third and then two unearned runs in the fourth.
Senior pitcher Shelbi Denman tossed the final five innings for the Bulldogs and didn't allow an earned run.
Fresno State's Emma Martinez went 1-for-4 at the plate to extend her hitting streak to nine straight games.
NEXT UP
Fresno State will visit Colorado State for a three-game Mountain West series, which starts Friday in Fort Collins, Colo.