’Dogs clinch series with Denby’s walk off double

Saturday, April 22

Fresno, Calif.

NOON

Fresno State

19-24, 8-7

Nevada

26-13, 7-8

Nevada

Fresno State

Photo by: Samuel Marshall

’Dogs clinch series with Denby’s walk off double

4/22/2023 4:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team defeated the Nevada Wolf Pack 3-2 in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond before a season-high 1,527 fans.

The resilient Bulldogs rallied for its second straight walk off victory over the Pack to clinch the weekend series win and climb into sole possession of third place in the Mountain West race.

Fresno State (19-24, 8-7 Mountain West) used a 3-for-4 effort at the plate by shortstop Alesia Denby, including the game-winning walk off double in the bottom of the 10th inning, to beat Nevada (26-13, 7-8 MW) and move a game ahead the Wolf Pack in the conference standings.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Nevada got on the board with an unearned run in the top of the first.

Fresno State quickly countered with runs in the second and third innings, when Vanessa M. Hernandez ripped an RBI double down the left field line and Juliana Wilson drove in Emma Martinez on a sacrifice fly, respectively.

In the circle, Fresno State's pitching committee – Shelbi Denman, Taylor Gilmore and Serayah Neiss – combined to toss 10 innings and allowed just one earned run in the game while striking out nine Wolf Pack batters.

In the fifth inning, Nevada evened the score at 2-2 on a RBI single to the left side of the field, but Denby, Bella Rocco and Kennedy Bunker teamed up to prevent the Pack from taking the lead by throwing out Gabby Herrera at home.

The game remained tied until the 10th when back-to-back singles from Keahilele Mattson and Wilson set the stage for Denby's game-winning double off the left field wall to seal the win and series.

Neiss earned her fifth victory of the season and has been the winning pitcher in each of the first two wins in the Bulldogs' series with the Wolf Pack.

NOTES

This was the ninth time this season that Fresno State has had at least 10 hits in a game (three of the last four games).
This was Fresno State's sixth extra inning game (second of 10 innings or longer) and the Bulldogs improved to 4-2 in extra inning games this season.
Fresno State freshman Serayah Neiss earned her second win of the weekend and fifth of the season in the circle for the Bulldogs.
Fresno State senior Alesia Denby finished a home run shy of the cycle and reached base four times and scored one of the Bulldogs' three runs.
Fresno State improved to 18-9 this season when scoring three or more runs in a game.
Fresno State has welcomed 2,795 fans to the Margie Wright Diamond in the last two games (both games were season highs: 1,268 on Friday and then 1,527 on Saturday). Another great crowd is expected for Sunday's series finale with tickets remaining online and via walk-up at the Margie Wright Diamond on Sunday.

NEXT UP
Fresno State and Nevada wrap up the three-game series on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. PT in an important series finale when it comes to qualification and seeding for the 2023 MW Softball Championships, which will take place May 11-13 in San Diego at SDSU Softball Stadium and feature the top six teams in league play.

After Sunday's game, youth are invited to run the bases at Margie Wright Diamond.

"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

Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateSB
Instagram: FresnoStateSoftball
Facebook: FresnoStateSoftball