SAN DIEGO – The Fresno State softball team (24-12, 8-3 MW) split a crucial doubleheader of Mountain West play against San Diego State, improving to a conference-best eight wins.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME ONE
Natalie Elias led the team at the plate with two hits. Alyssa Ramirez added one RBI.
Hannah Ortega and Key-Annah Campbell-Pu'a split innings in the circle, with two strikeouts apiece. Campbell-Pu'a took the loss falling to 6-5 on the season.
The game remained scoreless through the first three innings.
After the first nine Bulldogs were retired, Elias opened the fourth inning with a single but was left stranded. In the bottom of the inning, the leadoff runner hit a single. The next two batters were retired but a two-out home run gave the Aztecs a 2-0 lead.
Fresno State responded in the next inning. Lauren Almeida opened the fifth with a single, but back-to-back fielder's choice would leave the runner on first with two outs. Alyssa Ramirez stepped in to pinch hit and came up with a clutch RBI double, cutting SDSU's lead in half.
Campbell Pu'a and the defense retired the Aztecs in order in the bottom of the frame and were in striking distance of the lead in the top of the sixth with the bases loaded and one out. A pop out and a ground out ended the inning.
The Aztecs took their 2-1 lead into the seventh inning. The Bulldogs had one more chance at the plate but were sent down in order. SDSU took the win 2-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME TWO
Taryn Irigoyen had a career-high day going 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
Serayah Neiss chalked the start in the circle, throwing 4.1 innings with two strikeouts. Hannah Duncan and Key-annah Campbell Pu'a came in relief. Campbell-Pu'a finished the game for the 'Dogs to earn the win, improving to 6-6 on the season.
The game was scoreless through first four innings. SDSU had tallied two hits, both times the base runners were erased with perfectly turned double plays by Fresno State's defense.
Going into the fourth inning without a hit, the Bulldogs found an offensive spark from Irigoyen who blasted a leadoff home run over the right field wall.
The Aztecs took the lead in the bottom of the frame. The leadoff batter reached base with a single but left the base early on a steal attempt for the first out of the inning. The next batter doubled to center field, and a hit by pitch put two runners on. The following batter popped up for the second out. With two outs, the Bulldogs had a chance to escape the inning with the lead, but a throwing error by the pitcher to first base allowed the runner at second to score, tying the game. The next batter was intentionally walked, loading the bases. SDSU capitalized, hitting a two-out single up the middle to drive in two more runs, taking a 3-1 lead.
The Bulldogs responded in the bottom of the frame. Marissa Montelongo drew a leadoff walk, and Natalie Elias followed with a bunt single. A sacrifice bunt during the next at-bat moved both runners into scoring position. Montelongo then scored on a fielder's choice, evading the catcher's tag. Taryn Irigoyen delivered a clutch two-out triple to right field, driving in another run to tie the game. Alyssa Ramirez followed with a single to center field, bringing Irigoyen home and giving Fresno State a 4-3 lead.
Looking for insurance runs in the seventh inning, back-to-back singles from Montelongo and Jamie Hicks set the tone for the offense. Elias hit into a fielder's choice, but the defense misplayed it, allowing a run to score while keeping all runners safe. Another misplayed fielder's choice during the next at-bat brought in another run. With runners on the corners and two outs, Taryn Irigoyen came through once again, this time with an RBI single. The Bulldogs exited the top of the inning with a 7-4 lead.
The Aztecs were unable to answer in the bottom of the frame as they were sent down in order.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will host a two-game series against Nevada this weekend at Margie Wright Diamond. The first game starts at 2 p.m. PT on Saturday, followed by game two at Noon PT on Sunday.