by BOISE, Idaho – The Nevada softball team used a monster six-run third inning to take down Boise State by a score of 9-1 in six innings on Saturday. Heading into Sunday’s rubber match, the Wolf Pack sits at 27-20 on the year and 12-8 in Mountain West play.
Sophomore Kali Sargent (Washoe Tribe) earned her eighth win of the season, where she tossed her sixth complete game of the game. She finished the afternoon allowing just one earned run and three hits, holding the Broncos (26-18, 8-12 MW) to just a .143 batting average on the day.
Offensively, senior Raquel Martinez was a rock in the leadoff spot, going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and scoring three runs in the process. Junior Amanda Nicholas and freshman Kenzi Goins also collected two hits in the game. Junior Erika Hansen recorded a two RBIs, giving her 52 on the year and has now tied Megan Sweet for the most RBIs in a single season.
Nevada wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, jumping out to an early 1-0 in the first. After Martinez began the game with a double, Hansen brought her around to score for the Pack’s first run of the game.
The Broncos responded with a run of their own the bottom of the second, but the Pack bounced back nicely in the third, tacking on a total of six runs in the inning. Nicholas led off the inning with a single through the left side and after sophomore Ali Tedford pinch-ran for Nicholas, senior Melissa Arriaga used a sacrifice bunt to move Tedford to second.
Martinez then stepped up to the plate and laced a double down the right field line to score Tedford. After freshman Sienna Swain collected a base-knock through the left side to bring around Martinez, Hansen then walked to set the table for Goins.
With two runners on and just one out, Goins took one to right center, which scored Hansen to push the Pack’s lead to 4-1. Junior Aaliyah Gibson recorded Nevada’s fifth hit of the inning, when she singled back to the pitcher to score Hansen.
Nevada’s fifth and sixth run of the third came courtesy of senior Nikki Orozco, who ripped a single through the right side, which scored both Goins and Gibson on the play. In the inning, the Pack collected a total of seven hits.
After Nevada’s explosive inning, Sargent came back in the circle and pitched a scoreless home half, which started a string of four consecutive frames where she did not allow a run. The Pack’s final two runs of the game came in the sixth, where all the runs were scored with two outs.
Martinez started the rally with a walk and came around to score after freshman Mele Tausinga collected a pinch-hit single and RBI. Tausinga is now 3-for-3 with a home run and five RBIs in her last three pinch-hit appearances.
With a runner on a still two out in the inning, Hansen found a gap in left field to bring home ga Nevada’s ninth run of the game which ultimately led to the 9-1 victory. The Pack will be back in action on Sunday against the Broncos for the rubber match of the three-game series. First pitch for that contest is scheduled for 11 a.m. PT.
