Road Swing Ends with Pair of Victories

Tuesday, March 19

Los Angeles, Calif. (Smith Field)

11 a.m. MT

Boise State

20-4

Harvard

6-9

Harvard

Boise State

Softball vs Fresno State, Photo by Madison Park

Photo by: Boise State University

3/19/2019 10:07:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Harvard Box Score (PDF)LMU Box Score (PDF)

Boise State (21-4) out-scored Harvard and Loyola Marymount 20-6 to end a stretch of 25 games on the road

By: Nate Lowery

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Boise State softball team closed out a stretch of 25 games on the road with a sweep of Harvard and Loyola Marymount, Tuesday at Smith Field.

The Broncos (21-4) got back into the winning column following the series loss at UNLV this past weekend, by out-scoring today's opponents 20-6.

Now nearly halfway through the season, Boise State will play in front of the home crowd for the first time this year, hosting San Diego State, March 22-24, at Dona Larsen Park. The Broncos will celebrate the program's first conference championship by unveiling the new 2018 Mountain West Champions banner, located on the front side of the press box.

"To be 21-4 at this point of the season is remarkable. I'm so proud of what this team has done the last six weeks on the road," head coach Maggie Livreri said. "Playing a full 14 innings today, we had the opportunity to work through a lot of different scenarios that will only benefit us during Mountain West play."

HARVARD RECAP
Micaela Leal carries a no-hitter through 4.0 innings to pace Boise State to a 6-0 victory over Harvard in the first game of the day.

The Crimson (6-9) did not get their first hit until Melito led off the top of the fifth inning with a single into shallow right-center field.

Despite the blemish, Leal posted a strong outing for the Broncos in the circle. The junior allowed only one runner on base, while striking out four batters in 5.0 innings of action for the win. Kelsey Broadus threw 2.0 scoreless innings in relief.

Boise State struck early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning to set the tone. Bradie Fillmore tripled into right field to bat in Alison Seng and Ashlyn Adams for an early 2-0 lead. Fillmore would reach home later in the inning thanks to an error during Isabelle Butler's at-bat.

The junior transfer was 1-for-1 in the game, drawing three walks to bat in three runs. Her walk with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth would give the Broncos their final run of the game.

Kora Wade also led the team at the plate, going 3-for-4.

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT RECAP
The bats were rocking early and often for the Broncos in the second game against Loyola Marymount. Boise State hit four home runs (Rebekah Cervantes, Fillmore, Jessica McKay and Adams) to down the Lions, 14-6.

The four home runs in a single game is tied for fifth on the school record book.

Boise State led off the game with solo "Bronco Bombs" from Cervantes and Fillmore in the top of the first inning for an early 2-0 lead. An RBI single from Karlee Johnson, followed later by an advance on an error during Wade's sacrifice bunt would push the lead to 4-0.

McKay homered in the top of the third, while Adams two-run shot later in the inning would give Boise State a 7-0 lead over Loyola Marymount. The offensive showing would force the Lions to utilize four pitchers during the game.

With the 10-0 lead, Boise State would see their lead cut down to four runs thanks to a six-run bottom of the fourth for Loyola Marymount. Errors proved costly for the Blue and Orange, but strong defensive effort led by relief pitcher Gianna Mancha would get the team out of the jam.

McKay would score on a RBI single from Alison Seng to push the lead to five, while the Broncos scores three runs in the top of the seventh to ensure the 14-6 victory.

Second baseman Justene Molina contributed arguably the play of the day on a double play in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded and only one out, a Loyola Marymount batter sent a line drive up the right side. Molina was able to snag the ball above her head, and turn the play to first base for the pick off to escape the jam.