SACRAMENTO – A 12-hit, 10-run performance by the Nevada softball team (4-1) lifted the Pack over Sacramento State in five innings on Sunday. Sophomore Blake Craft (2-1) recorded the win. The last time Nevada won by 10 or more runs was against New Mexico on March 31, 2019, when the Pack defeated the Lobos 21-1.

Senior Sierra Mello led Nevada at the plate after going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and one run. Sadaria McAlister also propelled Nevada's offense, going 2-for-2 with two runs and two stolen bases. Senior Kenzi Goins recorded her 22nd-career home run and second of the season on a solo shot to left in the third inning. Junior Lauren Gutierrez recorded her fifth-career home run on a two-run bomb to left center in the fifth. Senior catcher Haley Burda also compiled a standout performance at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Pitchers Julia Jensen, Blake Craft and Kendall Fritz all saw action on the mound for the Pack, combining for a shutout, giving up two hits and striking out four in five innings. Nevada's defense recorded zero errors on the day.

How It Happened

Nevada's offense attacked early thanks to a big second inning. Sierra Mello's RBI single up the middle scored freshman Sam Oliver from second and advanced Haley Burda to third. Then, Chelie Senini's triple to left scored Burda and Mello, pushing Nevada's lead to 3-0.

Goins began the third with a solo home run to left to extend Nevada's lead to four.

McAlister started the fourth with a single to left and then stole second on the next pitch. Gutierrez's grounder to second advanced McAlister to third. Ashley Salausa and Sam Oliver drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Burda's single to left plated McAlister and Salausa and moved Oliver to second. Danielle Lew's single to center pushed Oliver across the plate. Then, Sierra Mello tallied her third hit of the game on an RBI single through the right side, bringing Nevada's lead to 8-0.

Lauren Gutierrez kept Nevada's bats going with a two-run home run in the fifth, giving the Pack a 10-0 edge.

UP NEXT

The Pack heads south to St. George, Utah, for the Dixie State Classic on Feb. 19-21. Nevada will face Washington, Dixie State, BYU, Utah Valley and Montana.