Photo: gobulldgos.com
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team swept its doubleheader against San Jose State on Wednesday night at Spartan Softball Stadium.
The Bulldogs (24-11, 4-4 MW) shutout the Spartans (12-18, 3-5 MW) 4-0 in the first game before taking the second game in extra innings 7-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
The game remained scoreless through three innings, and although the Bulldogs amassed four hits through the first three frames, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunities.
Fresno State's offense broke through in the top of the fourth inning. Lauren Almeida singled to left field, and Kennedy Bunker laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her into scoring position. Emma Martinez stepped up and singled to right field, plating the first run of the game to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.
Fresno State added to its lead in the top of the seventh inning. Martinez and Kealani Nitta tallied back-to-back singles to start the inning. Sophia Medellin belted a 3-RBI home run over the left-field wall. The Bulldogs took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the final frame.
The SJSU batters were retired in order, and Fresno State earned its seventh shutout win of the season.
Senior right-handed pitcher Taylor Gilmore recorded her 13th win of the season after pitching 4.1 innings with two strikeouts, only giving up three hits. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Serayah Neiss earned her third save of the season, closing out the final 2.2 innings without giving up a hit.
GAME 1 NOTES
Fresno State earned its seventh shutout win of the season.
Kealani Nitta and Emma Martinez both recorded multiple hits in the contest.
Senior Sophia Medellin had three RBIs in the contest.
Medellin hit her sixth home run of the season.
Senior Taylor Gilmore improves to 13-3 on the season.
Sophomore Serayah Neiss recorded her third save of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
Nitta opened the game with a single, and Elias moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Mattson was hit by a pitch to put another runner on base for the Bulldogs. Almeida landed an RBI-single in right field to score the first run of the game. Bunker followed with another RBI-single, giving the 'Dogs a 2-0 lead.
Fresno State added to its lead in the next frame. Nitta blasted a two-out triple to right-center, her first triple as a Bulldog. Elias brought her home with a single to left field. The 'Dogs owned a 3-0 lead after two innings.
The game was scoreless through the next three innings before a couple of Fresno State pitching changes gave way for the Spartan's offense to get a spark. SJSU scored three runs on three hits to tie the game.
Neither team was able to take the lead in the seventh inning, pushing the game into extra innings. Neiss re-entered the circle for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Wilson hit a leadoff single to right field in the top of the eighth inning. Alyssa Ramirez came up clutch for the Bulldogs hitting an RBI-double to left-center field. Elias singled to the pitcher, putting a second runner on base. Medellin blasted a 2-RBI triple to left-center, and Almeida capped off the inning with an RBI single to center field. The 'Dogs totaled four runs on five hits in the inning, taking a 7-3 lead into the bottom of the frame.
The Spartans attempted to get a rally of their own started in the bottom of the frame with a leadoff single to left field. Neiss and the defense retired the next three batters to secure the doubleheader sweep.
GAME 2 NOTES
Fresno State had four players record multiple hits in the contest including Kealani Nitta, Natalie Elias, Sophia Medellin and Lauren Almeida.
Medellin and Almeida recorded multiple RBIs in the contest.
Nitta hit the first triple of her career.
Sophomore Serayah Neiss recorded her 10th win of the season.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will host Utah State April 6-7 at Margie Wright Diamond.