FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team defeated San Diego 8-5 on Saturday night at Margie Wright Diamond.
The Bulldogs (16-5) tallied nine hits in the contest. Senior Sophia Medellin Fresno State at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Fellow senior Keahilele Mattson also recorded multiple hits on the night, going 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Four pitchers saw time in the circle for the 'Dogs. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Serayah Neiss recorded her seventh win of the season after pitching 3.1 innings with two strikeouts. Senior Taylor Gilmore finished the game, recording her fourth save of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
San Diego got on the board in the top of the first on an error. The Bulldogs responded in a big way in the bottom of the inning. An infield hit by Natalie Elias was followed by a deep shot over the left field wall from Sophia Medellin. After a walk by Keahilele Mattson, Lauren Almeida went opposite field to the wall. Mattson scored from first and Almeida reached third for her first triple of the season. Kennedy Bunker brought Almeida in on a fielder's choice to make it 4-1.
USD loaded the bases in the third before a one-out double cut the Bulldogs' lead to 4-3. Serayah Neiss kept the Toreros from plating any more runs with a strikeout and line out to left.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Bulldogs added insurance. Medellin doubled to left and Mattson singled up the middle. Almeida then brought in Medellin on a grounder to the shortstop. Bunker then singled to center and Mattson was held up at third. The Bulldog catcher advanced to second the throw home. Emma Martinez stepped into the box and found the hole on the left side to bring in Mattson and Madison Rey to extend Fresno State's lead to 7-3.
San Diego added two runs in the top of the sixth to halve the Bulldogs' advantage. Mattson got one back in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI triple on a ball over the right fielder.
GAME NOTES
Fresno State has won 11 of its last 12 games.\
Sophomore Natalie Elias extended her hitting streak to 16 games.
Senior Sophia Medellin had a season-high three hits.
Medellin recorded her fourth multi-hit game.
Medellin had multiple runs and RBIs in the same game for just the second time this season.
Senior Keahilele Mattson recorded her seventh game with multiple hits.
Sophomore Emma Martinez chalked her fourth game with multiple RBIs.
Sophomore Serayah Neiss improved to 8-2 on the year.
Taylor Gilmore earned her fourth save of the season.
UP NEXT
Fresno State and San Diego will meet again tomorrow at 1 p.m. PT.