FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team went 2-0 on the third day of the Fresno State Kickoff Classic, on Saturday at Margie Wright Diamond. The Bulldogs (3-1) defeated Santa Clara and CSU Bakersfield to make it three straight wins.
The wins highlighted Fresno State's offense, as the 'Dogs recorded 10-plus hits in both games to total 15 runs. Junior Lauren Almeida had a dominant day at the plate, going 4-for-7 with two extra-base hits including one home run to go with two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. SANTA CLARA
The game was locked at 0-0 for two innings, before the Bulldogs got their offense going in the bottom of the third. Kealani Nitta hit a lead-off single and made her way to third after a sacrifice bunt and ground out. Sophia tallied her first RBI of the day with a single to right field for the lead.
Fresno State added to its lead in the bottom of the sixth. Alyssa Rebolledo drew a two-out walk, and Emma Martinez brought her across home plate, hitting a triple to right field.
Starter Serayah Neiss and the defense kept the Broncos off the board through four innings, before Taylor Gilmore stepped in for the save to complete the shutout. Neiss earned the win and Gilmore was credited with the save, the first of the season for both.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. CSU BAKERSFIELD
After a lead-off single to start the game, the Roadrunner worked around the bases advancing off a couple ground outs before taking home plate on a wild pitch for the first run of the game.
Fresno State responded in the bottom of the frame. Nitta led off with a single for the second consecutive game and advanced to second on an error. Natalie Elias hit an RBI ground out to tie the game, 1-1. Medellin kept the inning alive by reaching first base on an error, Juliana Wilson followed with an RBI-triple to take a 2-1 lead.
CSUB retook the lead in the next inning, scoring two runs on two hits.
The Bulldogs didn't back down, Keahilele Mattson opened the bottom of the third with a single to right field. Medellin drew a walk, putting two runners on base. Almeida drove in the equalizing run with a single, followed by another single from D'Asha Saiki retaking the lead. An error committed by the Roadrunners would allow another run to score. Martinez would help double the lead with single, and the 'Dogs took a 6-3 advantage into the fourth inning.
The teams exchanged runs in the fourth.
Fresno State tacked on one run in the fifth, a solo shot from Almeida, before its offense erupted in the sixth inning. Medellin blasted a lead-off home run to set the tone, and Wilson followed with a single through the right side. Almeida added her third hit of the game with a single, moving the runner into scoring position. Fresno State capitalized on an error by CSUB to plate the second run of the inning. Kennedy Bunker made it three with an RBI-single to center field. The game was ended on a costly wild pitch from the Roadrunners' pitcher, allowing the 'Dogs to chalk their first run-rule victory of the season.
TOURNAMENT NOTES
Fresno State records three wins during opening weekend for the first time since 2020.
Fresno State had its first shutout of the season.
Fresno State recorded its first run-rule victory of the season.
Natalie Elias had her first multi-hit game.
Kealani Nitta had her first multi-hit game.
Emma Martinez had her first game with multiple RBIs this season.
Lauren Almeida recorded her first multi-hit game and home run as a Bulldog.
Sophia Medellin hit her first home run as a Bulldog.
Serayah Neiss earned her first win of the season.
Taylor Gilmore recorded her first save of the season.
Faith Jordan recorded her first career start in the circle.
Ruby Anderson recorded the first win of her career.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will finish the Fresno State Kickoff Classic with a rematch against Santa Clara at 1 p.m. PT tomorrow afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond.