Comeback Bid Falls Short in Ninth Inning

Sunday, April 28

Boise, Idaho

Noon MT

Boise State

32-10, 10-8

Nevada

25-21, 9-9

Nevada

Boise State

Photo by: Boise State Photo Services

4/28/2019 6:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Boise State (32-10, 10-8 MW) rallied from an eight-run deficit, but couldn't pull off the comeback in the third game against Nevada

By: Courtesy: Boise State Athletics

BOISE, Idaho — Rallying from an eight-run deficit, the Boise State softball team forced the game into the ninth inning in the series finale against Nevada but came up just short, losing 12-11 on Sunday at Dona Larsen Park.

The loss eliminates Boise State (32-10, 10-8 MW) from Mountains West title contention.

The Wolf Pack jumped to an early lead with a two-run homer in the top of the first, and added six runs off of Kelsey Broadus in the third for an 8-0 lead.

The first seven Broncos in the lineup failed to reach base before a solo home run from Karlee Johnson in the bottom of the third got Boise State on the scoreboard. Johnson's home run would start a streak of four-consecutive hits, including a two-run homer from Kora Wade to make it an 8-3 game.

Wade's home run would continue her on-bass streak to 34 games, one shy of tying Devon Bridges' 35-game streak as the second-longest in program history.

Nevada would respond with two runs in the top of the fourth after a two-out error extended the inning. The Broncos would continue their rally right where it left off, scoring five runs on six hits in the bottom half of the inning. Serena Huchingson and Ashlyn Adams both sent the ball past the fence to make it a 10-8 ballgame.

Johnson would make it a one-run game, scoring on a RBI double from Morgan Lamb in the fifth inning. Lamb would be thrown out trying to stretch the play to third to end the inning.

The Broncos would overcome the eight-run deficit with a fielder's choice by Jessica MCKay in the sixth. McKay hit a ground ball to the shortstop, but Wade would prove too fast on the play to the plate. Cervantes, trying to reach home from second on the play would narrowly be tagged out, trying to catch the Wolf Pack off-guard after the play went to second to try and force out McKay.

Nevada would send the game to extra innings, and came up with a two-out home run in the top of the ninth to go up by two runs. Boise State would again pull within one on a sacrifice fly from Alison Seng, but couldn't get the final run across to extend the game.

Despite being charged with the loss, relief pitcher Gianna Mancha would post a strong outing for Boise State. The sophomore held Nevada to only two runs — both unearned —and two hits, while striking out five of the 20 batters she faced.

Boise State will look to improve its resume for a potential at-large bid next weekend, hosting the conference-leader, Colorado State, May 4-6 at Dona Larsen Park.