Broncos Open Weekend with 2-1 Victory Over Yale

Friday, February 22

Phoenix, Ariz.

9 a.m. MT

Boise State

9-2

Yale

0-1

Yale

Boise State

Photo by: Boise State Media Relations

2/22/2019 3:40:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Cervantes plays a part on both of Boise State's runs; Mancha goes the distance

By: Nate Lowery

PHOENIX, Ariz. – In a reoccurring theme of the season, the Boise State softball team overcame a rain delay to defeat Yale, 2-1, to open the GCU Purple Classic. The Broncos had their second game against Michigan State postponed to tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

An updated schedule will have Boise State (7-2) play the Bulldogs a second time on Saturday afternoon (2 p.m. MT), before closing the tournament against Grand Canyon, Sunday at noon.

Sophomore pitcher Gianna Mancha went the distance for the Broncos, striking out three batters in seven innings. She held Yale (0-1) to only one run, while giving up five hits and two walks on the day. Despite registering eight hits in the game, Boise State stranded eight runners on base to hold on for the 2-1 victory.

Rebekah Cervantes, batting in the number two spot, opened the game with a triple for the Broncos in the bottom of the first inning. She scored on the at-bat thanks to a throwing error by Yale's second baseman. Cervantes would give Boise State the game-winning run on a RBI double in the top of the third inning to score Kora Wade.

B1 | Hey Becky, Becky!@_rebekahlynn ties the school record for triples with the seventh of her career! She scores on the at-bat thanks to a throwing error by the second baseman to give Boise State a 1-0 lead over Yale!#BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/oSqXd0Ndaj
— Boise State Softball (@BroncoSportsSB) February 22, 2019

Cervantes finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate, with both of her hits being for extra bases.

"It's always good to start the weekend with a win, no matter how pretty it is," head coach Maggie Livreri said. "GiGi and the defense controlled the ballgame, and it was great to see Becky come through with some clutch swings for us."

M1 | And the delay has ended!@ggiannaaa_ works through Yale's lineup, allowing only one batter on base thanks to a walk. The sophomore fans the last batter. Game is still scoreless with the top of the order coming up for Boise State.#BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/t8edJxu5CT
— Boise State Softball (@BroncoSportsSB) February 22, 2019

Yale would threaten in the top of the sixth inning, making it a one-run game. The Bulldogs scored on a RBI double, which also put a runner on third with two outs. Mancha would get the Broncos out of the inning with by inducing a fly ball to Ashlyn Adams in right field on the next at-bat to escape the jam.

In the top of the seventh inning, Boise State retired Yale in order to end the game.

At 7-2, Boise State has the chance to match the best 10-game start in program history with a win tomorrow morning against Michigan State. First pitch between the Broncos and Spartans is scheduled for 9 a.m. MT, barring weather.