Bulldogs' comeback falls short

Saturday, March 19

Boise, ID

NOON

Fresno State

5-21, 0-3

Boise State

23-5, 3-0

Fresno State

Boise State

Photo by: Samuel Marshall

Bulldogs' comeback falls short

3/19/2022 4:32:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Taylor Martinez / Strategic Communications

BOISE, Id. – The Fresno State softball team fell to Boise State in the series finale 4-2 after a comeback effort fell short on Saturday afternoon at Dona Larsen Park.

Fresno State tallied seven hits at the plate. Avery Lawley and Emery Nielson led the Bulldogs at the plate with two hits apiece. Left-handed pitcher Marley Hanlon chalked the start in the circle, while Cassidy West and Casey Dixon saw time in relief. The trio had a combined three strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Boise State jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the opening inning.

Fresno State tried to respond in the top of the second after two walks and a single from Avery Lawley loaded the bases for the Bulldogs. Right-handed pitcher Taylor Caudill retired the next Bulldog batter with a strikeout to strand the three runners.

The 'Dogs kept the Broncos' explosive offense at bay through the next three innings, retiring nine straight batters.

Including this fantastic grab from Nielson robbing Boise State of a home run in the bottom of the second.

Boise State ended its drought with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning off two hits. West was able to keep the damage to one run after stranding three runners with two strikeouts in the inning. In the next inning, the Broncos added one run off of three hits.

Boise State took a 4-0 lead into the final frame, but Fresno State found an offensive spark to fight back. After back-to-back ground outs, Lawley got the rally going with a single to left field. Nielson followed her lead with a single to center field. Alana Cobb-Adams drew a walk to load the bases for the 'Dogs. Keahilele Mattson belted a base hit to plate a run. Vanessa M. Hernandez kept the rally going with a single to bring in another run, but a second runner attempted to go home and was tagged out at the plate by the Broncos' catcher to end the game.

Boise State escaped with another close win over Fresno State.

WHAT'S NEXT
Fresno State will return home to host Pacific at Margie Wright Diamond on Wednesday, March 23 at 6 p.m. PT.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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