Box Score May 12, 2017 Box Score
RENO, Nev. - After finding itself down for much of the game, freshman Kenzi Goins lifted the Nevada softball team to a 5-4 victory in eight innings over San Diego State on Friday afternoon. With the walk-off win, the Wolf Pack now sits at 28-22 on the season and 13-10 in Mountain West play, heading into the final day of the 2017 regular season.
On the day, Nevada was led by junior Aaliyah Gibson, who recorded a game-high three hits and scored three times in her four plate appearances. Goins finished the game driving in two runs, including the game-winning RBI and has now reached base in 24 consecutive games.
In the circle, sophomore Kali Sargent went the distance for the Pack, pitching all eight innings. She allowed just seven hits and gave up three earned runs in the process. The complete game marked Sargent's seventh of the season as she now holds a 9-8 record on the year.
For the second time in as many days, the Aztecs (30-18, 14-9 MW) jumped out to an early lead after Jenavee Peres led off the game with a solo home run. Yet, the Pack never shied away from the challenge though, fighting back with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning.
After Gibson led off the home half of the first with her ninth triple of the season, a groundball from Goins would bring around Gibson to score on the play. With the game tied at 1-1 for the next two innings, SDSU reclaimed the lead at 3-1 after crossing the plate twice in the top of the fourth.
However, Nevada responded with a run of its own, as a string of three consecutive hits gave sophomore Alyssa Mendez the opportunity to score from second after a single from freshman Haley Burda. SDSU pushed its lead back to a pair, crossing the plate in the sixth once but Nevada responded once again scoring twice in the inning to tie the game at four a piece.
Seven innings turned out to not be enough to decide the game and after Sargent retired the Aztecs in order in the top of the eighth, the Pack entered the bottom of the inning with a chance to seal the win. With the top of the order due up, Gibson was hit by a pitch to lead things off for Nevada and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from freshman Sienna Swain.
San Diego State then intentionally walked junior Erika Hansen, setting the table for Goins. On a 1-1 pitch, Goins bounced a single over the third baseman's head, in which Gibson came around from second to score the winning run and give the Pack the 5-4 victory.
Nevada will be back in action on Saturday for the rubber match of three-game series with SDSU. With it being the final game of the regular season, the Pack will honor its five seniors with a special pregame ceremony prior to the noon start time.
