'Dogs stumble in tournament finale

'Dogs stumble in tournament finale

3/11/2024 8:37:00 PM | Softball

By: Taylor Martinez / Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team fell to Rutgers in the finale of the Bulldog Classic 10-1 on Monday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond.

The Bulldogs (17-6) were out-hit 10-7 on the afternoon. Kealani Nitta and Natalie Elias led Fresno State at the plate tallying two hits apiece.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Rutgers opened the game with a leadoff triple. Three batters later, the Scarlet Knights took a 1-0 lead.

The pitchers owned the next three innings, allowing a combined three hits while not giving up a run.

The visitors tacked on two more in the top of the fifth after loading the bases with no outs. Rutgers then extended their lead to 4-0 in the sixth with a two-out single.

Lauren Almeida drove in Fresno State's first run of the game, hitting a triple to the center field wall that brought in Keahilele Mattson.

Rutgers added six runs in the top of the seventh.

NOTES

The loss snapped Fresno State's three-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs' one run was their second-fewest in a game this season.
Sophomore Natalie Elias extended her hitting streak to 18 games, ranking No. 7 in program history.
Elias registered her eighth game with multiple hits, and the third during the four-game tournament.
Sophomore Serayah Neiss dropped to 7-3 on the year.
Freshman Kealani Nitta recorded her second multi-hit game.

UP NEXT
Fresno State opens Mountain West play with a three-game series at Nevada beginning on Friday.

"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.