LOGAN, Utah – The Fresno State softball team clinched the series over Utah State with a 7-4 victory in game three on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulldogs (26-16, 10-6 MW) outhit the Aggies (24-18, 9-4 MW) in the contest, 8-6. Kealani Nitta led the team at the plate going 2-for-4. Emma Martinez and Marissa Montelongo added two RBIs apiece.
Three pitchers saw time in the circle for Fresno State. Hannah Ortega chalked the start with Hannah Duncan and Serayah Neiss coming in relief. Neiss got the win, throwing 4.1 innings with three strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Aggies jumped out to a 2–0 lead over the first two innings.
The Bulldogs responded in the top of the third. Natalie Elias led off with a single, and Kennedy Bunker followed with a walk. Taryn Irigoyen drove in the first run with a double to left field, and Madison Rey brought in the second with a sacrifice fly, evening the score at 2–2.
Utah State regained the lead in the bottom of the third. After a walk and a hit-by-pitch put two runners on with two outs, the Aggies came through with a clutch double to pull ahead 4–2.
Fresno State tied it again in the fourth. After the leadoff batter was retired, Alyssa Ramirez reached on an error by the third baseman. A fielder's choice left one runner on with two outs, setting the stage for Montelongo, who launched her first home run of the season to knot the game at 4–4.
Utah State threatened in the bottom of the fifth. Two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with two outs, but Rey got the force out at third to end the inning.
The Bulldogs pulled ahead in the sixth. Nitta reached on an infield single, and a misplayed fielder's choice put two runners on with one out. Martinez stepped up with a two-out RBI single to give Fresno State a 5–4 lead.
In the bottom of the frame, a hit by pitch and a double put runners on second and third with one out for the Aggies. Neiss and the defense stranded the runners with a pop out and a strikeout.
Fresno State put the game away in the seventh inning. After the leadoff batter was retired, Irigoyen drew a walk, followed by a single from Lauren Almeida. Rey was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. A fielder's choice made it two outs, but the runner at third came home on a wild pitch. Another hit-by-pitch brought in a second run, giving the Bulldogs a 7–4 lead heading into the bottom of the inning.
Utah State had one hit in the frame but wouldn't plate a run, securing the series for Fresno State.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will face BYU tomorrow at 11 a.m. PT.