Boise State defeated Fresno State 3-2 on March 21, with Kaylee Vieira delivering a pinch-hit, go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Broncos held off a late rally by the Bulldogs to secure the win.
The game was tied at one run each when Kate Penberthy led off the sixth inning with a walk. After a sacrifice bunt by Talia Jenkins moved pinch runner Grace Peffley into scoring position and Hollie Farmer drew another walk, Vieira hit through the left side to bring home Peffley and give Boise State a 2-1 lead. An insurance run followed when Farmer scored on a wild pitch.
Fresno State responded in the top of the seventh, scoring once and putting the tying run at second base with no outs. Skylar Stroh then caught a line drive and completed an unassisted double play to end Fresno State’s threat.
Freshman Loula-Rae McNamara has been effective in relief, going 2-0 with two saves over her last four outings and leading the NCAA with 28 appearances. Boise State has scored seven of its eight runs in this series during the fifth inning or later. Stroh went 2-for-4 in this game and leads the team with a .343 batting average and 36 hits.
The teams will conclude their three-game series on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for noon.
