Seattle University softball (1-2) gained an early lead in the third inning but an offensively powerful inning for Fresno State (3-0) in the bottom of the frame would propel the Bulldogs to a 7-4 win at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.
"I couldn't be more proud of these young ladies," said head coach Geoff Hirai. "They fought until the end and are buying into a culture that we are setting here."
After leaving a runner on base in each of the first two innings, the Redhawks plated two in the third on a two-RBI single up the middle from Molly Campbell (San Diego, Calif.). However, Seattle U would leave the bases loaded as Fresno State stranded three Redhawks on base to end the inning.
In the bottom of the frame, Fresno State took a 5-2 lead, opening the inning with a trio of extra-base hits. Alyssa Villalpando and Kierra Willis brought back a run apiece on back-to-back triples before Paige Gumz scored two on a home run. Malia Rivers would close the Bulldogs’ scoring for the inning on an RBI single to third base with two outs.
Kaylee Ree (Gresham, Ore.) brought the Redhawks within two, 5-3, in the top of the fifth on a pair of defensive miscues for the Bulldogs, but SU left the tying two runs on base.
Rivers scored two on an RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the fifth to give Fresno State a 7-3 advantage before Megan Ottino (Torrance, Calif.) gave the Redhawks a final run, 7-4, on a homer in the sixth.
In the circle, Kamalani Dung picked up the win for Fresno State, pitching three innings while allowing two runs. Andie Larkins (Tucson, Ariz.) suffered the loss for Seattle U, allowing five runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings of work while striking out two. Alyssa Reuble (Lynnwood, Wash.) entered in relief, allowing two runs on two hits in 3 1/3 innings.
The Redhawks close their opening weekend of competition with a pair of contests on Sunday vs. UC Riverside (10:15 a.m. PT) and Stanford (2:45 p.m. PT). Live stats will be available for the Stanford game at http://www.gostanford.com/liveStats/liveStats.dbml?SPSID=789235&SPID=127019&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=30600&LIST_SPORT__SOFTBALL.