FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team defeated San Jose State 8-5 on Saturday at Margie Wright Diamond to win the series. The Bulldogs have won their first three series of Mountain West play.
Fresno State (22-11, 7-2 MW) was outhit by San Jose State (15-18, 4-5 MW), 9-8, on the afternoon. Kennedy Bunker led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 3-for-4, while Alyssa Ramirez and Lauren Almeida each recorded two RBIs.
Three pitchers took the circle for Fresno State. Faith Jordan earned the win, going 4.1 innings with two strikeouts, improving her record to 5-3 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Following a long fly out by the leadoff hitter, the Spartans put the next two on base. A throwing error on a pick-off attempt at first led to SJSU's runner on second scoring the first run of the game.
Fresno State tied up the game in the bottom half of the inning. Natalie Elias got on to lead off the inning before a pair of sacrifices moved the Bulldog to third. Taryn Irigoyen was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. Irigoyen was then caught in a run down attempting to steal second, but it allowed Elias to score from third. Irigoyen managed to elude the tag and get back to first.
SJSU tried to threaten to start the second, but pushing for a leadoff triple, Irigoyen's throw from the wall was on target for Madison Rey to lay down the tag.
The Spartans added two more runs in the third on a pair of hits and an error. A throwing error on a play at first put runners on second and third with one out. A single and a fielder's choice brought the Spartans across the plate.
SJSU took a 4-1 lead in the fourth after putting runners on corners with one out. A one-out ground out extended the Spartans' run.
Fresno State responded in the bottom half of the inning. A single by Kennedy Bunker and a pair of hit batters loaded the bases with one out. Alyssa Ramirez was called on to pinch hit and she dropped down a ball in front of the right fielder to bring in Alyssa Orr and Irigoyen. With Olivia Hill then coming in to pinch hit with runners on the corners, Madison Rey attempted to steal second, but the catcher's throw left home plate open for Emma Martinez to tie the game at 4-4.
After keeping the Spartans off the board in the top of the fifth, Elias started off another big inning for the 'Dogs. A single and a ground out put the junior on second. Another single by Bunker put runners on the corners. Elias gave the Bulldogs' their first lead of the game, scoring on a wild pitch that also advanced Bunker to third. Irigoyen then drew a walk to bring up Lauren Almeida. The senior hit a liner into the gap in left center to extend Fresno State's lead to 7-4.
Following another scoreless inning for SJSU, Fresno State Marissa Montelongo extended the Bulldogs' lead to four. A head's up play to advance from first to third on the infield put the senior in scoring position. An error by the shortstop on a hard-hit ball by Kealani Nitta brought Montelongo in.
A solo home run by the Spartans in the top of the seventh made it a three-run game before Serayah Neiss came in to close out the game.
NOTABLE
Fresno State has won 14 out of its last 16 games.
Fresno State won its third straight Mountain West series to open conference play.
The Bulldogs sit atop the conference standings at 7-2, tied in the loss column with Nevada (4-2).
Fresno State scored at least eight runs for the seventh time this season.
Kennedy Bunker tied her season-high with three hits.
Natalie Elias and Taryn Irigoyen each had two runs.
It was Elias' eighth game of the year with multiple runs and Irigoyen's third.
Lauren Almeida and Alysa Ramirez had two RBIs apiece.
Faith Jordan improves to 5-3 on the season.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will travel to San Diego State for a doubleheader on April 2 starting at Noon PT.