The Fresno State softball team took all three games with walk-off wins in the series against Nevada on April 21-23. 

Although the ‘Dogs took the games, it didn’t come easy. With great defensive stops on both ends, each game went down to the last stretch. 

“It’s tough when you blow a lead, but they were resilient, and they came back,” said Bulldog Head Coach Stacy May-Johnson. 

In a conference matchup, the ‘Dogs were able to move up to the No. 3 seed with three straight victories in the series.   

Fresno State 5, Nevada 4 (April 21)

Fresno State opened up the series with a fast start on a 2-RBI hit by left fielder Keahilele Mattson. 

Opening the second inning, the ‘Dogs came out tough on defense, holding the Wolf Pack scoreless. But Nevada matched the energy by holding Fresno State to no hits or runs to end the inning. 

After a scoreless third, the ‘Dogs got back into gear. Second baseman Emma Martinez hit a line drive to center field to bring in an RBI. The Bulldogs led at the end of the inning, 3-0.   

Although the Wolf Pack trailed, they didn’t back down on offense by scoring a run at the top of the fifth inning, but the Bulldogs stopped their momentum. Fans cheered as Bulldog center fielder Taryn Irigoyen dove for a ball, closing out the inning.

The ‘Dogs continued strong with a bunt by first baseman Vanessa Hernandez that brought in Mattson on a close slide to home. The Bulldogs ended the fifth inning, 4-1. 

The Wolf Pack bounced back at the top of the sixth with a 3-run homer by first baseman Hailey Praham to tie the game 4-4. 

The pressure rose for the ‘Dogs approaching the last inning with one more chance to win the game. With one out and a runner on third, catcher Kennedy Bunker hit a line drive up the middle to bring in shortstop Alesia Denby, with the winning run.

“I was looking outside because I knew they were going to do that. They’ve been doing it all day and I’ve been swinging at it so I just wanted to put it on the ground or at least the outfield so we could score,” Bunker said.  

The ‘Dogs won Game 1, 5-4. 

Fresno State 3, Nevada 2 (April 22)

The Wolf Pack began the second game by getting on the board quickly due to an overthrown error by pitcher Shelbi Denman to first base, which allowed the runner at third base to go home. 

The ‘Dogs didn’t have an answer to close out the first inning, trailing 1-0. 

In the second, the ‘Dogs got on the board with an RBI hit by Hernandez to tie the game.

The Bulldogs continued their momentum at bat in the third inning. A sacrifice fly out to left field by right fielder Juliana Wilson brought Martinez home to take the lead 2-1. 

The Wolf Pack stayed in the game in the top of the fourth with a single to shortstop, tying the game 2-2. 

Just like Game 1, both teams entered the last inning tied up. The ‘Dogs remained aggressive on defense, holding the Wolf Pack scoreless giving them a final chance to win the game.

The ‘Dogs couldn’t find momentum in the batting box, taking them into extra innings.

With one out and two runners on base, the Bulldogs decided to switch pitchers from Taylor Gilmore to Neiss. Despite the pressure of the inning, Neiss struck out back-to-back batters to put her team back on offense, but the ‘Dogs were unable to get on the board to close out the eighth inning. 

After 10 innings of play, the Red Wave got to its feet cheering once again as Denby hit a double down the left field line to bring in the game-winning run.

“I just really wanted to keep it simple and just come through for my team especially with runners on. I just wanted to make sure that I was able to drive those runners in,” Denby said.

The ‘Dogs beat Nevada in Game 2, 3-2.

Fresno State 5, Nevada 1 (April 23)

In the final game of the series, the Bulldogs scored all their runs in the bottom of the first inning. The first run came in on a single to short by Martinez to get on the board. 

Shortly after, a two-RBI hit by Hernandez gave the ‘Dogs a 3-0 lead but the inning didn’t end there. Bunker and Irigoyen both drove in runs to finish with a 5-0 lead. 

Later the Wolf Pack scored one run but couldn’t come back from its deficit.

The Bulldogs finished Game 3 with a 5-0 win.   

The Bulldogs are now 9-7 in conference play and 20-24 overall. They will host Stanford at the Margie White Diamond on April 26 at 6 p.m.