FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team secured the series win over UNLV with a 6-1 victory in game three on Sunday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond.
The Bulldogs (30-15, 10-6 MW) tallied five hits in the contest. Sophomore Natalie Elias led the team at the plate going 2-for-4, chalking her 18th multiple-hit game of the season.
Senior right-handed pitcher went the distance for Fresno State in the circle, pitching her fifth complete game of the season with six strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rebels came out on the attack, seizing a 1-0 advantage in the opening inning by scoring one run from three hits in the first inning.
Juliana Wilson opened the bottom of the second inning with a drawn walk and advanced to second base thanks to Alyssa Ramirez's sacrifice bunt. During the next at-bat, all base runners reached safely due to a defense error on a fielder's choice, advancing the Bulldogs' lead runner to third base. Emma Martinez gave Fresno State a 2-1 lead with an infield single.
In the following inning, Fresno State extended its lead by two runs. The initial two batters reached base and were advanced through a sacrifice bunt. The Bulldogs executed a squeeze play, with Wilson laying down a bunt as Elias evaded the tag at home plate. Ramirez sent up a sacrifice fly to right field during the next at-bat scoring the second run of the inning.
Fresno State scored a run in the following two innings, extending their lead to 6-1 as they entered the sixth inning. Gilmore and the defense retired six of seven batters through the final two innings to secure the series win.
GAME NOTES
Fresno State has reached 30 wins for the first time since 2021.
Fresno State has won eight out of its last 10 conference games.
Fresno State outscored UNLV 14-2 in the series.
Sophomore Natalie Elias recorded her 18th multiple-hit game of the season.
Sophomore Alyssa Ramirez recorded her third game this season with multiple RBIs.
Senior pitcher Taylor Gilmore improves to 17-3 on the season.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will host Colorado State for Senior Weekend, April 26-28 at Margie Wright Diamond.