6-game streak snapped in loss
Fresno State splits with UNLV in a doubleheader at Bulldog Diamond, losing 13-2 in the nightcap
Staff Report / The Collegian
On a frigid, windy Wednesday night not made for softball, Jamie Southern and Leticia Pacheco were hot for Fresno State.
Fresno State left fielder Rachael Donaldson walked twice in the Bulldogs’ game one victory over UNLV on Wednesday at Bulldog Diamond. UNLV won 13-2 in the nightcap. Photo by Joseph Hollak |
The senior All-American pitched a two-hit shutout in the Bulldogs’ 1-0 victory over Nevada-Las Vegas in the first game, then went 2 for 3 with a run in Fresno State’s 13-2 five-inning loss in the nightcap.
In game one, Southern struck out six in winning her 10th straight game and improving to 15-2.
The Bulldogs had to work hard to manufacture their one run in the opener, scoring on an infield single.
With one out in the sixth inning, third baseman Leticia Pacheco was hit by a pitch. UNLV’s Jacque Kerrigan then walked sophomore left fielder Rachael Donaldson and freshman designated player Kristin Sylvester, loading the bases. After freshman first baseman Shauna Johnson struck out, freshman second baseman Jenna Cervantez hit a ball to deep short and ran out the throw as Pacheco scored.
Junior shortstop Christina Clark (1 for 3) and Sylvester (1 for1) accounted for the Bulldogs’ other two hits off Kerrigan.
In the night’s second game, Fresno State had considerably less success, suffering its third run-rule loss of the season and seeing its six-game winning streak snapped. The NCAA’s run rule says a game ends after five innings if one team is leading by at least eight runs.
UNLV had 11 hits off pitchers Amanda Nesbitt, Laura Ferreira and Amanda Wolf, including a third-inning grand slam from Rebels’ catcher Maggie Livreri off Ferreira. The grand slam was part of a nine-run third for the Rebels. UNLV’s Caitlyn Paus went 2 for 3 with three runs scored.
Fresno State managed just four hits in the game, two coming from Southern, who also scored a run. UNLV had 11 hits.
The two teams combined for seven errors in the game.
Kerrigan, who took the loss in game one, came back to notch the complete-game win in the second game, improving to 19-13 on the season.
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