CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team made it a perfect 4-0 weekend at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic after defeating Long Beach State and Cal Poly, Sunday afternoon at Big League Dreams Complex.
The Bulldogs (11-4) extended their win streak to six after outscoring their opponents 21-5 throughout the weekend. Fresno State's offense finished the weekend with .363 batting average, out-hitting its opponents 37-17. The defense limited opponents to a .185 batting average.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. LONG BEACH STATE
After a scoreless first inning, the Beach took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second after an error allowed a runner to reach and a double to the wall sent her home.
The Bulldog tied the game in the bottom of the frame. Kennedy Bunker and Lauren Almeida tallied back-to-back to put runners on base. Alyssa Ramirez moved the runners into scoring positions with a sacrifice bunt, and Emma Martinez sent up a sacrifice fly to plate a run.
LBSU retook the lead with a solo home run to start the third inning.
Fresno State got its offense going an inning later in the bottom of the fourth. Bunker crushed a lead-off double to set the tone. Ramirez hit her first career home run, bringing in two runs for the lead.
The Bulldogs extended their lead in the sixth, scoring three runs on four hits, securing a 6-3 victory over the Beach.
Left-handed pitcher Serayah Neiss chalked the win, improving to 3-1 on the season. Neiss went 4.0 innings with one strikeout.
GAME 1 NOTES
Freshman right-handed pitcher Faith Jordan recorded her second start of the season.
Sophomore Alyssa Ramirez recorded her second start of the season at third base.
Ramirez hit her first career home run.
Sophomore Natalie Elias owns team-best hitting streak of nine games.
Elias has reached base in nine consecutive games.
Elias recorded her fifth game with multiple hits.
Sophomore Kennedy Bunker has recorded a hit in four consecutive games.
Bunker has had multiple hits in six games this season.
Sophomore Emma Martinez logged her third game this season with multiple hits.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Serayah Neiss improves to 3-1 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. CAL POLY
Fresno State had to rally for another come-from-behind win in its second game of the day against Cal Poly.
After another scoreless first inning, Fresno State struck first in the bottom of the second. Bunker hit her first home run of the season, a solo shot over the right-field wall, to give the 'Dogs a 1-0 lead.
Fresno State held its 1-0 lead until the sixth inning. Cal Poly found an offensive spark for a two-out rally. With one runner on, the Mustangs belted a two-out RBI-single to right field to tie the game. Another RBI-single would give Cal Poly its first lead of the game.
The Bulldogs displayed grit in the bottom of the frame. Elias used her speed to beat out the throw at first after laying down a perfect bunt. Sophia Medellin singled to right field, moving Elias to third as she once again beat out the tag. The Mustang's catcher let the ball get away from her and Elias capitalized, tying the game 2-2. Juliana Wilson sent up a sacrifice fly, bringing in the game-winning run.
Cal Poly's batters were sent down in order in the seventh to finish the game, defeating the Mustangs 3-2.
Taylor Gilmore and Neiss split time in the circle. Gilmore went 5.0 innings with three strikeouts. Neiss finished the game for the 'Dogs, pitching 2.0 innings with one strikeout.
GAME 2 NOTES
At 11-4, Fresno State is off to its best start since the 2020 season.
Fresno State has won six straight games.
Fresno State had two Bulldogs record multiple hits.
Sophomore Kennedy Bunker has a team-high seven games with multiple hits.
Bunker has recorded a hit in five consecutive games.
Bunker hit her first home run of the season.
Sophomore Natalie Elias has recorded a hit in 10 consecutive games.
Elias has reached base in 10 consecutive games.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Serayah Neiss improves to 4-1 on the season.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will travel to the Judi Garman Classic hosted by CSU Fullerton, March 1-3.