FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team fell to South Dakota State in its 2024 season opener, Thursday night at Margie Wright Diamond.
Senior Keahilele Mattson led the 'Dogs at the plate going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Sophomore Kennedy Bunker also tallied two hits to go with one RBI. Three Bulldogs saw time in the circle.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SDSU scored three runs in three straight innings to start the game with a 9-0 lead going into the bottom of the third.
Fresno State faced two-time Summit League Pitcher of the Year Tori Kniesche, who owned a 27-4 record last season. Kniesche held the Bulldogs scoreless through two innings before they rallied with three runs in the third. Bunker got the offense going with a lead-off single, followed by back-to-back walks to load the bases. Mattson hit a bases-clearing double, making it a 9-3 game going into the fourth.
The Jackrabbits made it four straight innings with three runs with two hits and two walks in the fourth inning.
The 'Dogs fought back in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs on four hits, cutting SDSU's lead to five.
Eight runs in an explosive sixth inning from the Jackrabbits offense would secure the victory in run-rule fashion.
GAME NOTES
SDSU out-hit Fresno State 15-7.
Taylor Gilmore led the bullpen with two strikeouts.
Sophia Medellin and Kealani Nitta recorded their first career starts and hits as Bulldogs.
Freshmen Faith Jordan and Ruby Anderson made their debuts in the circle.
D'Asha Saiki recorded her first hit as a Bulldog.
Keahilele Mattson and Kennedy Bunker recorded their first multi-hit games of the season.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs and the Jackrabbits will have a rematch tomorrow night in Margie Wright Diamond at 5 p.m. PT.