SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team (21-10, 5-1 MW) swept the doubleheader against Santa Clara on Wednesday. The Bulldogs won the first game 8-4 and took game two in extra innings, 5-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME ONE
Fresno State outhit Santa Clara 11-9 in the contest. Three Bulldogs recorded multiple hits.
Hannah Ortega chalked the start in the circle, pitching 4.1 innings to improve to 3-0 on the season. Key-Annah Campbell-Pu'a came in relief, throwing 2.2 innings with two strikeouts.
Fresno State jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Natalie Elias led off the inning with a single that landed just over the shortstop's head. Emma Martinez drew a walk, and with two on, Lauren Almeida delivered a single, and an error by the center fielder on the play allowed a run to score. Alyssa Ramirez brought in another run with an RBI groundout. Taryn Irigoyen belted a triple to plate the third run of the inning, and she was brought home with a single from Madison Rey.
The Bulldogs extended their lead in the fourth inning, scoring two runs on three hits. Back-to-back singles from Elias and Marissa Montelongo set the table, and both stole a base, putting runners on second and third. Martinez drove in Elias with an RBI groundout, and Kennedy Bunker belted a double to center field to give Fresno State a 6-0 lead.
Fresno State was closing in on a run-rule victory after adding two runs on three hits in the fifth inning, taking an 8-0 lead. The Bulldogs had the opportunity to end the game early if they could hold the Broncos off the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning.
Santa Clara wouldn't be shutout, as they plated four runs on four hits to cut Fresno State's lead in half, 8-4.
Key-annah Campbell-Pu'a, who entered in relief, retired the next six batters to secure the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME TWO
Fresno State was outhit (11-7) in the second game. Kennedy Bunker and Marissa Montelongo both had two hits in the game.
Three Bulldogs saw time in the circle. Serayah Neiss earned the win after pitching 6.1 innings with four strikeouts to improve to 8-3 on the season.
Santa Clara took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, after a leadoff single was brought around the bases with a sacrifice bunt and a base hit.
After the first nine Fresno State batters were retired in order, Natalie Elias sparked the offense with a leadoff single in the fourth inning. Kennedy Bunker followed with a single up the middle, putting two runners on base. Lauren Almeida tied the game with a single to right field. Fresno State then loaded the bases after an error by the shortstop, but the Broncos' defense escaped the inning without allowing another run to score.
Santa Clara looked to take the lead in the sixth inning with runners on first and second and one out. Both runners advanced into scoring position after a groundout to the first baseman. Serayah Neiss then recorded a strikeout to end the inning.
In the seventh, Marissa Montelongo led off with a single. She was replaced on the bases by Elias after a fielder's choice. Elias advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, but a fly ball in the next at-bat prevented the Bulldogs from taking the lead.
In the bottom of the inning, the Broncos had a chance to take the lead. After the first two batters were retired, Santa Clara sparked a two-out rally with back-to-back singles. However, Neiss delivered another strikeout, sending the game into extra innings.
Neither team was able to score a run through the eighth and ninth inning.
Fresno State's offense broke loose in the 10th inning. With a runner on second due to the tiebreaker rule, Montelongo laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving the runner to third. The runner on third scored on an error by the shortstop, which also allowed Elias to reach base. Emma Martinez singled through the left side, and Bunker tripled down the right-field line, clearing the bases. Lauren Almeida plated the final run of the inning with a sacrifice fly. The Bulldogs took a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the inning, the first batter for the Broncos was retired. The next batter singled to center field, scoring the runner placed on second. An infield single during the following at-bat put runners on the corners. Santa Clara executed a sacrifice fly to make it a two-run game, 5-3. The defense made the play in the outfield, retiring the next batter to complete the doubleheader sweep.
NOTABLE
Fresno State recorded 10 or more hits for the seventh time this season.
Jamie Hicks had a season-high two hits.
Kennedy Bunker has had 13 games with multiple hits this season.
Hannah Ortega pitched a season-high 4.1 innings.
Ortega improves to 3-0 on the season.
Serayah Neiss improves to 8-3 on the season.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will continue Mountain West play against San Jose State March 27-29 at Margie Wright Diamond.