Bulldogs sweep Bengals for third straight win

Thursday, February 23

Fresno, Calif.

12:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

6-5

Idaho State

4-8

Idaho State

Fresno State

Photo by: Lyet Koffi

Bulldogs sweep Bengals for third straight win

2/23/2023 6:20:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Fresno State swept Idaho State in a Thursday afternoon doubleheader on day one of the 2023 Fresno State Invitational, presented by Axis Hotel Group.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team swept the Idaho State Bengals by scores of 8-3 and 10-4 on Thursday afternoon in the first two games of the 2023 Fresno State Invitational, presented by Axis Hotel Group, at Margie Wright Diamond.

Fresno State (7-5) dialed in its attack mode with an impressive day at the plate to win its second and third straight games against Idaho State (4-9), who the Bulldogs also beat 10-0 in run-rule fashion on Sunday.

Alesia Denby and Keahilele Mattson each went yard twice in the doubleheader for the Bulldogs.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1 – Fresno State 8, Idaho State 3
Fresno State got on the board first with three runs in the fourth inning and never trailed in the 8-3 victory over Idaho State.

The Bulldogs' Emma Martinez (3-for-4, double, 2 runs) and Alesia Denby (2-for-3, home run, double, three RBIs, walk) combined to 5-for-7 in the game to set the table and tone for the offense.

In the circle, Shelbi Denman improved to 3-0 this season with a solid five-inning outing for the Bulldogs in game one.

Denman registered three strikeouts and allowed just two runs, two hits and two walks in the contest.

Game 2 – Fresno State 10, Idaho State 4
Denby and Mattson hit back-to-back solo home runs in the opening inning to give the Bulldogs an early 2-0 lead over the Bengals.

Idaho State answered with three runs in the second, sparked by Kate Hogan's two-out, two-run triple off the chain link fence in center field. ISU added one more run when the next batter – Angelica Cano – drove in Hogan with a RBI single back up the middle.

Mattson tied the game in third with another solo home run to ignite a four-run frame, which also included a two-run homer by Jamie Hicks and a RBI single by Kennedy Bunker, for a 6-3 lead.

The Bulldogs added a run in the fourth and three more in the sixth en route to the 10-4 victory.

Mattson finished a double shy of the circle with two home runs, an RBI triple and a single for a 4-for-4 performance with three RBIs and three runs scored.

Taylor Gilmore (2-0) earned her second win of the season and Denman closed out the final 1.1 innings for her first save of the year.

"Fresno State Athletics - For The V: The Central Valley" - Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV. To become a Bulldog Foundation member or join "The Green V Society," please visit bulldogfoundation.org

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