ST. GEORGE, Utah – A Haley Burda two-run home run in the top of the eighth lifted the Nevada softball team (7-3) over Montana, 6-5, on the final day of the Dixie State Classic on Sunday afternoon. 
 
Blake Craft (3-2) recorded the win for Nevada, giving up zero earned runs and striking out four Montana hitters in eight innings. The Pack was led offensively by Lauren Gutierrez and Haley Burda, recording both of their sixth-career home runs against the Grizzlies. Gutierrez went 2-for-3 at the plate with a two-run home run in the third and a single to center in the first. Burda went 2-for-4 at the plate, including a two-run home run in the eighth, a single in the fourth and a stolen base. Chelie Senini, Sadaria McAlister, Kenzi Goins, Kallahan Hunter and Charli Hawkins each recorded a hit throughout the ballgame. Nevada out-hit Montana at a 9-8 clip.
 
How It Happened
The Grizzlies scored four runs in the top of the first to take an early lead.
 
Nevada got on board in the top of the third on Lauren Gutierrez's two-run home run to left.
 
Kallahan Hunter's RBI double to left in the fourth scored Rylie Brooks, cutting Montana's lead to one.
 
Chelie Senini's RBI triple to left center in the sixth plated Jessica Sellers, tying the game at four.
 
Sierra Mello was placed on second in the top of the eighth due to international tie-breaker rules. On the next play, Rylie Brooks' sacrifice bunt to first advanced Mello to third. Haley Burda then stepped up to launch her first home run of the season, giving Nevada a 6-4 lead. Charli Hawkins followed Burda with a double to left center before Montana got the final out.
 
Montana scored one run in the top of the eighth, but it wasn't enough to stop a Nevada victory. 

UP NEXT
Nevada travels to Stockton, Calif., on Feb. 26-27 for the Libby Matson Classic. The Pack is set to face both Pacific and Idaho State twice.