SAN DIEGO – The No. 3 seeded Fresno State softball team defeated No. 6 seed San Jose State 2-0 in the opening round of the 2025 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Softball Championship on Wednesday evening at the SDSU Softball Stadium.
This marks the first time the Bulldogs have advanced past the opening round since the tournament's inception in 2023.
Left-handed pitcher Serayah Neiss went the distance for Fresno State in the circle, recording her sixth complete game this season. Neiss improves to 18-5 this season.
The Bulldogs outhit the Spartans 8-5 in the contest. Natalie Elias and Kiara Sipe recorded two hits apiece. Lauren Almeida added two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After the Spartans' leadoff batter was retired on a flyout to right field, the next batter drew a walk to reach base. Kennedy Bunker then made a stellar double play during the following at-bat, the batter hit a foul pop-up to the catcher, and after the catch, Bunker fired to second base to tag the runner from first attempting to steal.
In the bottom of the frame, the Bulldogs loaded the bases with two outs on three singles. SJSU's pitcher Mia Reynolds got out of the jam, dishing a strikeout to end the inning and strand all three runners.
The Bulldogs were retired in order in the second inning. Fresno State put runners in scoring position in both the third and fourth innings but couldn't capitalize.
Neiss and the defense were dominant throughout the game, not allowing a runner past first base through the first four innings.
The Spartans threatened to take the lead in the top of the fifth inning, as a leadoff single followed by a sacrifice bunt gave them their first runner in scoring position. The next batter hit a single to center field. SJSU had runners on the corners with one out. Once again the Bulldogs' defense came up clutch with a double play to end the inning.
Fresno State took the lead in the bottom of the inning. Back-to-back singles by Natalie Elias and Kennedy Bunker put two runners on with no outs. Olivia Hill laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both into scoring position. Up next, Almeida delivered a big hit for the Bulldogs, sending a two-run double into the left-center gap.
In the sixth inning, the Spartans drew a leadoff walk. Middle infielders Emma Martinez and Marissa Montelongo stayed solid, erasing the lead runner on a fielder's choice. When the next batter drew a walk to put two runners on, the duo once again picked off a runner. With runners on the corners, Taryn Irigoyen made a play in center field to end the inning.
The Bulldogs were retired in order in the bottom of the inning.
The Spartans came up to the plate in the top of the seventh trying to extend the game. The leadoff batter popped up the shortstop. Neiss delivered a strikeout for the second out. SJSU tried to rally with a two-out single to left field, but Neiss dished another strikeout to end the game.
NOTABLE
- Pitcher Serayah Neiss improves to 18-5 on the season.
- Neiss pitched her sixth complete game of the season.
- Natalie Elias logged her 20th game of the season with multiple hits.
- Kiara Sipe recorded her third game of the season with multiple hits.
- Lauren Almeida posted her 11th game of the season with multiple RBIs.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will face the No. 2 seed San Diego State tomorrow at 6 p.m. PT.