FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State softball team (29-17, 12-6 MW) swept the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 9-3 on Senior Day at Margie Wright Diamond
Taryn Irigoyen led the Bulldogs with three RBI while Marissa Montelongo notched two doubles and an RBI. Serayah Neiss collected her third win of the series while striking out five in 3.1 innings pitched in the afternoon and improved to 14-5 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the top of the first, New Mexico took the lead on a double to plate home the first run of the afternoon. After loading the bases in the following inning, a sacrifice fly to center extended the Lobos lead to 2-0. After a scoreless third, New Mexico added another run with a two out single up the middle to increase their lead to 3-0.
After collecting only two hits through the first four innings, Fresno State's bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth where the Bulldogs scored five runs. After Marissa Montelongo doubled with one out, Natalie Elias reached on a fielding error by the second baseman followed by Kennedy Bunker advancing to first due to catcher's interference to load up the bases for Taryn Irigoyen. Looking to swing the momentum, Irigoyen cleared the bases with a triple to right center, tying the game at 3-3. Lauren Almeida put Fresno State in front with a double to right field to score Irigoyen and give the Bulldogs their first lead of the afternoon, 4-3. After pinch running for Almeida, McKenna Gieger advanced to third on a wild pitch and eventually came across to score on a groundout to short by Madison Rey as the Bulldogs held a 5-3 lead at the end of five innings.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Bulldogs continued to build their lead. Montelongo's second double of the afternoon scored Alyssa Orr from first to make it 6-3 Bulldog lead. After Elias knocked in Montelongo with a single to left field, Kennedy Bunker capped off the inning with a home run to center field to push Fresno State's lead to 9-3.
In dominating fashion, Neiss finished off the Lobos in the top of the seventh, striking out the last two Lobos batters and putting an end to an impressive 9-3 win on Senior Day
UP NEXT
Fresno State will travel up north to take on UC Davis at La Rue Field on Tues. April 22.