Boise State
19-3, 0
UNLV
20-6, 0
Softball Forces Rubber Match Behind Offensive Showcase
3/16/2019 9:50:00 PM | Softball
Broncos (19-3, 1-1 MW) hand UNLV (20-6, 1-1 MW) its worst loss of the season in 11-2 victory
After hitting 0-for-8 in RBI opportunities in Friday night's loss to the Rebels, Boise State (19-3, 1-1 MW) unloaded the bats on UNLV early. The first two batters for the Broncos got on base with back-to-back singles in the top of the first inning, paving the way for a two RBI double from Jessica McKay. Down 2-0 with zero outs in the inning, UNLV (20-6, 1-1 MW) would turn to Breana Burke as the relief pitcher.
Bradie Fillmore would hit a RBI single up the right side to make it a 3-0 lead for the Broncos in the first inning.
Boise State would end the game hitting 7-for-15 in RBI opportunities on Saturday.
The Broncos would extend their lead with a solo home run from Serena Huchingson in the second, a RBI single from Ashlyn Adams in the third, and a bases-loaded walk from Seng and fielder's choice from Adams in the fourth inning to build a commanding 7-0 lead entering the fourth inning.
Facing its largest deficit of the season, UNLV added a run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Boise State defense would recover to escape the inning. The Rebels would score on a single with Rebekah Cervantes making the throw towards home.
With runners on first and second and only one out, Justene Molina would get Boise State out of the jam, grabbing Reina Bondi's line drive up the right side, and then making the play towards first for the third out on a 4-3 double play.
Needing to score only two runs in the top of the fifth to try and get the run-rule, Boise State added four runs to their already commanding lead. Cervantes hit a sacrifice fly to right field to get Huchingson home from third, while an error by shortstop Samantha Diaz gave Wade the time she needed to reach home from second.WATCH | We 🧡 double plays!
— Boise State Softball (@BroncoSportsSB) March 17, 2019
After UNLV puts a run on the board, Molina makes the 💎 to record two outs and get the Broncos out of the inning! 7-1 lead for Boise State.#BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/0Wlp34ufkm
With two outs in the inning, Adams hit her fifth triple of the season – a single-season school record – to get McKay across the plate, and scored herself on a single from Bradie Fillmore into shallow left center.
Leading 11-1, Boise State needed to hold UNLV to less than four runs in bottom of the fifth to end the game early. The Broncos allowed one run across the board thanks to an infield error with two outs, but were able to get the final out on a fly ball to the outfield to end the game.
The win improves sophomore pitcher Gianna Mancha to 8-1 on the season. Mancha allowed only two extra-base hits on the day, and struck out three batters. She allowed only one earned run on the day.WATCH | NEW SCHOOL RECORD ALERT! 🚨
— Boise State Softball (@BroncoSportsSB) March 17, 2019
Adams hits a blooper into shallow center field that rolls past the center fielder for her fifth triple of the season! #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/AoxEcfPznb
Boise State will look to clinch the series in tomorrow's rubber match. First pitch from Eller Media Softball Stadium will be at 1 p.m. MT.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Mancha, Gianna (8-1)
L: MASTERSON, C (4-2)
Batting:
2B: Wade, Kora 1 ; McKay, Jessica 1
3B: Adams, Ashlyn 1
HR: Huchingson, Serena 1
RBI: Cervantes, Rebekah 1 ; McKay, Jessica 3 ; Seng, Alison 1 ; Adams, Ashlyn 3 ; Fillmore, Bradie 2 ; Huchingson, Serena 1
SF: Cervantes, Rebekah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wade, Kora 3 ; Cervantes, Rebekah 2 ; McKay, Jessica 3 ; Adams, Ashlyn 1 ; Huchingson, Serena 2
SB: Wade, Kora 1 ; Cervantes, Rebekah 1
HBP: Fillmore, Bradie 1
Batting:
2B: FEDERE, J. 1 ; HARRISON, K. 1
RBI: DIAZ, S. 1 ; BARKER, L. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: FEDERE, J. 1 ; HARRISON, K. 1
