'Dogs fall to Broncos, setup Sunday rubber match

Saturday, April 13

Boise, Idaho

1 p.m. PT

Fresno State

27-13, 7-5

Boise State

26-18, 6-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Fresno State	0	1	0	0	2	2	0	5	8	3
Boise State	1	1	2	0	3	3	X	10	11	0

'Dogs fall to Broncos, setup Sunday rubber match

4/13/2024 11:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Taylor Martinez / Strategic Communications

BOISE, Ida. — The Fresno State softball team dropped the second game of the series against Boise State, falling 10-5 on Saturday afternoon at Dona Larsen Park.

The Bulldogs (27-13, 7-5 MW) were outhit by the Broncos (26-18, 6-6 MW) 11-8 in the contest. Fresno State had three players record multiple hits. Sophomore Emma Martinez led the way going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while hitting the first home run of her career.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Serayah Neiss chalked the start in the circle. She went 5.1 innings with five strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Kealani Nitta opened the game with a double. Natalie Elias laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Nitta to third base, but the Broncos retired the next three batters to strand Nitta.

Neiss dished back-to-back strikeouts to start the bottom of the frame. Boise State blasted a two-out solo home run, taking a 1-0 lead.

Fresno State struck back in the next inning. Juliana Wilson drew a one-out walk and Alyssa Ramirez moved her into scoring position with a base hit. Kennedy Bunker hit into a fielder's choice, plating the Bulldogs' first run to tie the game.

In the top bottom of the second inning, Keahilele Mattson made a stellar catch at the wall on the first at-bat, but the Broncos would counter with another solo home run to retake the lead.

Boise State added to its lead in the next inning, blasting a two-run home run.

Fresno State responded in the fifth, opening the inning with back-to-back singles. Elias brought in a run with an RBI-ground out and Medellin followed with an RBI-double. The Bulldogs cut the Broncos lead to one run, 4-3.

In the bottom of the frame, the Broncos' leadoff hitter drew a walk and moved around to third base on two wild pitches, Boise State chalked three RBI singles in the inning to extend its lead, to 7-3.

The Bulldogs kept fighting at the plate in the sixth inning. Ramirez tallied her second hit of the game with a one-out single. The next batter was retired, bringing Martinez up to the plate. The sophomore belted the first home run of her career, giving Fresno State a shot at the comeback win.

The score was 7-5 going into the bottom of the sixth. Two fielding errors by the Bulldogs' defense allowed the Broncos to plate three unearned runs.

Fresno State was unable to overcome the five-run deficit in the seventh inning, dropping the second game of the series.

UP NEXT
Fresno State and Boise State will face off in the rubber match tomorrow at 11 a.m. PT.

"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.