Broncos Rally Past Bulldogs

Friday, March 20

Boise, Idaho

6 p.m.

Boise State

16-17, 2-2

Fresno State

12-12, 1-3

Fresno State

Boise State

3/20/2026 9:49:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOISE, Idaho – Kate Penberthy's two-run home run in the fifth inning provided the winning margin in Boise State's 5-3 victory over Fresno State, Friday night.

Penberthy's swing capped a four-run inning and brought Boise State (16-17, 2-2 Mountain West) all the way back from a 3-0 deficit.

Fresno State (12-12, 1-3) scored after a leadoff walk in the second and tallied twice in the third on a home run that followed a 50-50 ball the Broncos failed to field cleanly.

Boise State did not hit a ball out of the infield and only had one hit through four innings before loading the bases with one out in the fifth on two walks and a single. Jorja Crider came off the bench and nearly gave the Broncos the lead, but settled for a deep sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 3-1.

In the sixth, Skylar Stroh led off with a double and Marissa Gonzalez singled. A pair of misplays by the Bulldogs allowed both runners to score and tie the game 3-3.

Penberthy then lifted a 2-1 pitch over the wall in left field for her sixth home run of the season.

Loula-Rae McNamara (5-1) retired all five batters she faced in relief, including three via strikeout, to earn the victory.

NOTES

Boise State won a conference game it trailed by at least three runs in the fifth inning or later for the first time since March 18, 2022 (against Fresno State in game two of a doubleheader).
Freshman Loula-Rae McNamara is 1-0 with two saves and no hits allowed over 7 2/3 innings in her last three relief outings…leads the NCAA with 27 appearances.
Kate Penberthy leads the team with three go-ahead home runs this season.
The game drew a season-high attendance of 821.

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