BOISE, Idaho – The Fresno State softball team fell in the first round of the Mountain West Championship in extra innings 5-4 to Boise State on Thursday afternoon at Dona Larsen Park.
The Bulldogs (33-19, 13-9 MW) out-hit the Broncos (34-21, 13-9 MW) in the contest 10-9. Sophomore Kennedy Bunker went 3-for-4 at the plate including a solo home run. Senior Keahilele Mattson went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run.
Senior Taylor Gilmore went 7.0 innings in the circle with six strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a deadlock in the initial two innings, Boise State surged ahead with a 1-0 lead in the third inning, fueled by two hits.
Fresno State ignited their offense in the fifth inning when Bella Rocco, facing her former team, smashed a leadoff double off the wall. Kealani Nitta then advanced the runner to third base with a sacrifice bunt. Natalie Elias leveled the game with an RBI ground out in the following at-bat. Sophia Medellin kept the inning alive with a clutch two-out single. Then, Mattson launched a two-run home run over the center field wall, propelling the Bulldogs to a 3-1 lead.
The Broncos tried to regain the lead in the sixth inning after loading the bases with two outs. Serayah Neiss took the circle for the Bulldogs and secured a crucial strikeout to keep the lead.
Bunker added to Fresno State's lead with a solo home run over the wall in the bottom of the inning. The Bulldogs headed into the seventh inning with a 4-1 advantage.
Boise State fought back as they started the seventh inning with a leadoff home run, another Bronco reached base due to an error committed by the Bulldogs' shortstop. Boise State belted a two-out two-run home run to tie the game.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs had an opportunity to walk off with back-to-back singles to open the innings. The next two Fresno State batters were retired, but a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Juliana Wilson drew a walk, loading the bases for the Bulldogs, but the Broncos' defense retired the next batter to send the game into extra innings.
Boise State seized a one-run advantage with two singles in the top of the eighth inning. The Fresno State batters were retired in order and Boise State took the win to advance to the next round of the tournament.
Fresno State finishes the season with a 33-19 (13-9 MW) record.