'Dogs finish opening weekend with four wins

Sunday, February 11

Fresno, Calif.

1 p.m. PT

Fresno State

4-1

Santa Clara

2-3

Santa Clara

Fresno State

'Dogs finish opening weekend with four wins

2/11/2024 4:06:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Taylor Martinez / Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team made it four straight wins, defeating Santa Clara 3-1 in the final game of the Fresno State Kickoff Classic, Sunday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond.

The Bulldogs (4-1) out-hit the Broncos (2-3) 6-5, led by Lauren Almeida and Kennedy Bunker with two hits apiece. Bunker recorded a game-high two RBIs for Fresno State.

Three pitchers took the circle for the Bulldogs. Starter Taylor Gilmore earned her second win of the season after pitching 5.0 innings with five strikeouts. Serayah Neiss recorded the first save of her career after finishing off the win in the circle.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first inning, the Bulldogs struck first in the bottom of the second. Almeida got the offense going with a two-out single to the short stop, and a hit-by-pitch followed to put two runners on. Bunker continued her solid weekend at the plate with a two-RBI double to left field.

The Broncos responded in the next inning, plating one run to cut the Bulldogs' lead in half.

Fresno State scored one in the bottom of the third with another two-out rally. After the first two batters of the inning were retired, the next three Bulldogs reached base behind an error, an infield-single and a hit-by-pitch. With the bases loaded, Almeida brought in the final run of the game with a single to left field.

Neiss took over the circle for Fresno State in the fifth inning. The sophomore lefty retired the first four batters she faced. Santa Clara had a one-out single in the top of the seventh before the final two outs were made by Neiss and the defense.

GAME NOTES

Fresno State starts the season winning four out of its first five games since 2016.
Fresno State has won four straight games.
In the last four games, Fresno State has outscored its opponents 21-7.
Taylor Gilmore improves to 2-1 on the season.
Serayah Neiss recorded the first save of her career.
Lauren Almeida and Kennedy Bunker had two multi-hit games this weekend.

UP NEXT:
Fresno State will host the Bulldog Classic Feb. 16-18 at Margie Wright Diamond.

"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" - The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate.