Boise State Rallies From Three Down to Defeat LMU 6-4

Saturday, February 29

Fullerton, Calif.

6:30 p.m. MT

Boise State

11-7

Loyola Marymount

11-8

Loyola Marymount

Boise State

Boise State Rallies From Three Down to Defeat LMU 6-4

2/29/2020 10:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Final Box (pdf)

The Broncos used a five run sixth inning to rally from 4-1 down to beat the Lions at the Judi Garman Classic.

By: Courtesy: Boise State Athletics

FULLERTON, Calif. - Boise State used a five run sixth inning to rally from three down to defeat Loyola Marymount 6-4 on the third day of the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif.

Trailing 4-1 heading into the Broncos' bottom half of the sixth inning, Boise State exploded rallying with five runs to take the lead 6-4 with a Bella Rocco two RBI double scoring the go ahead runs. The Blue and Orange then turned a double play in the top of the seventh to retire the Lions an secure the win.

Boise State rallies from 4-1 down to defeat LMU 6-4! Broncos improve to 11-7 overall with the win ... faces #3 Texas and Grand Canyon on Sunday.

Go Broncos #BleedBlue @BroncoSports @BoiseState @MW_OlySports pic.twitter.com/GKSSblkSeV
— Boise State Softball (@BroncoSportsSB) March 1, 2020

It is a good win for the Broncos who improved to 11-7 overall. LMU (11-8) has recorded two impressive upset victories at the Judi Garman Classic this weekend defeating both fourth-ranked LSU and 13th-ranked Michigan. Boise State will closeout the weekend on Sunday when its faces third-ranked Texas and Grand Canyon.

"Fantastic team win where we showed a lot of grit," said head coach Maggie Huffaker. "I couldn't be happier for Bella Rocco to come through with the game winning RBIs. She's been fighting for that opportunity and really came through for us tonight."

Boise State took an early lead in the second when Serena Huchingson sent a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home Bradie Fillmore for the first run of the game.

LMU then went to work scoring four runs over the next four innings. The Lions scored one in the third and fourth each, then two more in the top of the sixth to extend their advantage to three at 4-1.

The Broncos went to the bottom of the sixth needing three to tie the game. Boise State would send 10 batters to the plate during the inning starting with Alison Seng who led off with a single to left.

With runners on second and third, Karlee Johnson singled down the left field line to score Emily Alandt — pinch running for Seng — and Fillmore to cut the deficit to one at 4-3.

Then with bases loaded and one out, Johnson came home on a wild pitch to tie the game.

With runners on second and third, Rocco sent the ball to the gap in right center field for a double to score Huchingson and Autumn Bennett for a 6-4 lead.

B6 | BRONCOS LEAD! Rocco doubles to right center to score Bennett and Huchingson!

BSU 6, LMU 4

Go Broncos! #BleedBlue https://t.co/GtjeDj2M0k
🎥: @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/k7Tkh8PQaD
— Boise State Softball (@BroncoSportsSB) March 1, 2020

Boise State left one on base headed into the top of the seventh with a two run lead.

LMU sent four batters to the plate and had two on base with one out when Boise State's Fillmore fielded a ground ball to third, then threw it to Seng at first to get the force out, followed by a tag of a runner caught between first and second to secure the win.

Kelsey Broadus came in during the fourth as the relief pitcher and collected her seventh win of the season. The senior had three strikeouts, no walks and allowed five hits for two runs.

Offensively, Rocco and Johnson each tallied two RBIs, while Huchingson finished with one. Meanwhile, McKay, Fillmore and Johnson all had two hits apiece.

Defensively, Huchingson had eight putouts, Seng six and Bennett four.