FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State softball team split the first day of the Fresno State Invitational, falling to Cal 8-9 before posting an 8-0 run rule victory over CSU Bakersfield.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. CAL
The Golden Bears came out strong, scoring eight runs on 10 hits in the first three innings to seize a commanding lead.
With the game on the brink of being over in run rule fashion, the Bulldogs rallied in the bottom of the third. Natalie Elias singled to left field, and the bases were loaded after two consecutive batters reached on fielder's choice. Kennedy Bunker put the 'Dogs on the board with an RBI single, and another run came home on a wild pitch in the following at-bat. Lauren Almeida then worked a walk, and with two runners on, Taryn Irigoyen singled to center, driving in the third run of the inning. Olivia Hill capped the rally with a two-RBI single to shortstop, making it a five-run inning. The Bulldogs pulled within 8-5 heading into the fifth inning.
Key-annah Campbell-Pu'a and the defense quickly retired the next nine Cal batters in order.
Fresno State tied the game at 8-8 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Elias led off with a triple and scored on an infield single by Kealani Nitta. Bunker followed with a base hit to load the bases, and Almeida drove in a run with a single to the pitcher. Irigoyen added her second hit of the game, bringing in another run.
Cal regained the lead in the top of the seventh. A leadoff double, followed by a sacrifice bunt, moved the runner to third, and a sacrifice fly brought her in to score.
In the bottom of the inning, Kiara Sipe drew a leadoff walk but the Golden Bear's defense retired the next three runners to take the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS. CSU BAKERSFIELD
After a scoreless first inning, the 'Dogs came alive in the bottom of the second. Almeida launched a solo home run over the left field wall to get the scoring started. Irigoyen followed with a single to center field and was driven in by a triple from Alyssa Rebolledo. Hill then added an RBI single. Elias reached on a bunt single and stole second. With two runners in scoring position, Nitta doubled, driving in both. Bunker capped the inning with a double, bringing in the final run and giving Fresno State a 6-0 lead.
The Bulldogs ended the game in the fifth, scoring two runs on three hits to secure their first run-rule victory of the season.
NOTABLE
Fresno State earned its first run-rule victory of the season.
Six of Fresno State's losses this season have been by three runs or fewer.
Kennedy Bunker has reached base in 11 consecutive games.
Bunker is on a five-game winning streak.
Lauren Almeida hit her third home run of the season.
Bunker and Almeida both have four games this season with multiple RBIs.
Natalie Elias tied her season-high with three hits against Cal.
Elias has recorded multiple hits in seven games this season.
Olivia Hill had a career-high two RBIs against Cal.
Harleigh Braswell had a season-high two RBIs against CSU Bakersfield.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will face Cal tomorrow at 3 p.m. before taking on Southern Utah at 5:30 p.m. at Margie Wright Diamond.