Nevada 14, Fresno State 6 (5 inn.)
Friday, March 15, 2024
Reno, Nev. – Christina M. Hixson Park
WP: Tyra Clary (6-2)
LP: Serayah Neiss (7-4)
 
RENO, Nev. – The Wolf Pack opened up conference play at home with a 14-6, five inning, run-rule victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs.
 
Chelie Senini led off the game with a single to third base. Bridgette Gilliano came to the plate with one out, homering to center field, giving the Pack a 2-0 lead.  Gabby Herrera followed with a double to left center and Aaliyah Jenkins capitalized with a double to left field, scoring Herrera.
 
The Bulldogs added one in the second on an unearned run.
 
The Bulldogs had a five-run third inning putting the Pack in a 6-3 deficit headed to the bottom of the third. The Pack answered back with a six-run bottom of the third. Gilliano had her SECOND hit of the game with a leadoff single. Taryn Jenkins had an RBI single, scoring Gilliano, cutting the deficit to two. Aaliyah Jenkins came to the plate an delivered with a game tying two-run home run. Charli Hawkins singled through the left side setting Maile Olsen up for a two-run home run for the Pack lead, forcing the Bulldogs into a pitching change, but that didn't stop the Pack offense. Gilliano had an RBI single scoring B. Clark. The Pack had six runs on seven hits with no errors in the third, putting the Pack on top, 9-6.
 
The Pack tacked on four more runs in the fourth starting with an A. Jenkins single to left center. Hawkins followed reaching on a throwing error by the pitcher and advanced to second. Matlyn Leetch came in to pinch run for Hawkins. B. Clark singled up the middle, advanced to second on the throw scoring A. Jenkins and Leetch stole home, 11-6 Pack. Senini singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Haley Painter reaches on a throwing error and Senini scores.
 
Herrera walked off the game with a run-rule home run, and the Pack secures its first conference and home opening victory.
 
Gilliano goes 3-4 with three RBI, marking her first three-hit game of the season. A. Jenkins goes 3-3 with three RBI and three runs scored. B. Clark went 2-3 with one RBI and two runs scored.
 
Blake Craft got the home opener start. Craft went 2.1 innings, striking out one, giving up six runs on eight hits. Only five runs were earned. Tyra Clary came in for relief in the third, finishing out the game and getting the win, going 2.2 innings,  striking out one, not allowing any runs on any hits. Neither Craft nor Clary gave up a walk.
 
Notables:

• Aaliyah Jenkins tied Erika Hansen for seventh all-time in Nevada career RBIs (117).
• Chelie Senini, Bridgette Gilliano, and Aaliyah Jenkins all recorded three hits. The three-hit game is Senini's fifth of the season, Gilliano's first of the season, and A. Jenkin's second of the season.
• Nevada hit four home runs, the third game of the season with at least four home runs. 

Up Next:
The Pack returns to Hixson Park for the second game of the Fresno State series, Saturday, March 16 with first pitch set for 1 p.m.
 
Follow the Pack:
Follow Nevada Softball on social media @Nevada_Softball (X), @nevada_softball (Instagram), and Wolf Pack Softball on Facebook.