FRESNO, Calif. – Ahmiya Noriega collected two hits, including tying the national lead with her ninth triple of the season, while Lacie Ham pitched seven strong innings to lead San José State softball (15-17, 4-4 MW) as they battled in a 3-2 ten-inning loss against Fresno State (21-11, 6-2 MW) in the second game of this three-game series from Margie Wright Diamond on Friday evening.
The Spartans got off to a strong start, plating a run in the first inning after Aubrie Thomas delivered an RBI double to score Jules Ronquillo, who had reached base on a walk. San José State added another run in the fourth, with Haley Reeve notching a double and later scoring on a sacrifice bunt by Shay McDowell.
San José State’s pitching kept the Bulldogs at bay for most of the game. Ham delivered an impressive start, going seven innings while allowing just two earned runs on seven hits and striking out two. The Spartans held the lead until the bottom of the sixth when Fresno State rallied to tie the game at 2-2 with back-to-back hits from Taryn Irigoyen and Emma Martinez.
The game remained deadlocked through nine innings as both teams struggled to break through against strong relief pitching. Mia Reynolds came in for the Spartans in the eighth, allowing just one hit over two innings before Fresno State capitalized in the tenth. The Bulldogs’ Olivia Hill delivered the game-winning hit, a two-out double to drive in the decisive run.
Despite the loss, the Spartans showed resilience, highlighted by strong defensive efforts from Noriega, who turned a key double play in the fourth, and Aneesa Almaguer, who caught two runners stealing.
Game Highlights:
- San José State Offense: 5 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 doubles (Thomas, Reeve)
- Lacie Ham: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 K
- Ahmiya Noriega: 2-for-4, triple, single, stolen base
- Noriega now has nine triples on the season, which ties her for first in the nation.
- Noriega has seven multi-hit games so far this season.
- Aubrie Thomas: 1-for-5, RBI-double
- Thomas' double is her sixth of the season
- Haley Reeve: 1-for-4, double, walk, one run scored
- Reeve's double is her fourth of the season.
- Carly Cummings: 1-for-3, single
- Cummings has hit safely in her last five out of seven games.
UP NEXT: The Spartans will wrap up their three-game series with Fresno State with the series finale tomorrow, Saturday, March 29, at 12:00 p.m. PT. You can watch the action on Mountain West Network.
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