FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team swept the doubleheader against Pacific on Saturday, winning game one 5-2 and completing a 8-5 comeback victory in game two.
The Bulldogs improve to 11-9 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)
Fresno State outhit Pacific 8-3 in the contest. Junior Alyssa Ramirez led the Bulldogs at the plate going 2-for-3. Sophomore Madison Rey added two RBIs. Junior Serayah Neiss pitched her first complete game of the season, earning her fifth win with season-high six strikeouts.
Pacific jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. With a runner on base, the Tigers delivered an RBI single, and a double followed to score another run.
Fresno State cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second, plating one run on three hits. Alyssa Ramirez sparked a two-out rally with a triple, and Madison Rey drove her in with a single.
The Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kennedy Bunker led off with a single to right field, and Ava Tingey came in to pinch-run. Tingey advanced to second on a wild pitch and then moved to third on a single by Ramirez. Rey followed with a sacrifice bunt, allowing Tingey to score. Alyssa Orr, who pinch-ran for Ramirez, advanced to third on a third baseman's error before stealing home. The 'Dogs led 3-2 after four innings.
Fresno State extended its lead in the following inning. Natalie Elias ignited the offense with a leadoff double to center field. Kealani Nitta moved her to third with a sacrifice bunt. Emma Martinez drove her in with a single to center field. Martinez then went to third after a fielder's choice and an error. Lauren Almeida pushed the Bulldogs to a 5-2 lead with an RBI ground out.
Neiss and the defense held the Tigers through the final two innings to secure the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO)
The Bulldogs outhit the Tigers 12-8, tying their season-high hits. Bunker went 3-for-4 at the plate with one RBI. Nitta had a career-high three RBIs off two hits.
Four pitchers made an appearance in the circle for Fresno State. Sophomore Faith Jordan earned her second win of the season, pitching 3.0 innings. Neiss came in relief, grabbing her first save of the season.
Pacific once again jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs on two hits in the first inning. The Tigers added onto their lead in the top of the third, plating another two runs taking a 5-0 lead.
The 'Dogs responded in the bottom of the frame, scoring their first run of the game. Fresno State continued to chip away at the lead in the bottom of the fourth, plating two runs on two hits. With two outs and a runner on base, Jamie Hicks reached on an error by the shortstop, advancing the runner to third. With runners on the corners, Kealani Nitta delivered a two-RBI single to center field. The 'Dogs trailed 5-3 after four innings.
Fresno State kept the pressure on, breaking the game open in the bottom of the fifth with five runs on four hits. The inning began with a leadoff single by Bunker, followed by back-to-back walks to load the bases. A sacrifice fly brought in the first run, and Olivia Hill then delivered a two-RBI double. Marissa Montelongo followed with a triple, scoring Hill, and Nitta drove in Montelongo with an infield single. The 'Dogs took an 8-5 lead.
Neiss closed out the game in the circle for the 'Dogs securing the comeback win.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will finish the Bulldog Classic with a doubleheader against Saint Mary's starting at 2 p.m. PT at Margie Wright Diamond.