By Annabelle Del Bosque — Staff Writer
San Jose State softball lost its first conference game of the season and first contest overall since March 10 after a 4-3 defeat to Fresno State, wrapping up its series in the valley.
The Spartans (22-10, 2-1 MW) took stole the first two in Fresno, winning their 11th and 12th games respectively, but couldn’t tie the knot on the Bulldogs (17-13, 1-5 MW), who scored all four of their runs in the third frame.
Prior to the deadly inning, senior infielder Madison Aurin smacked a double to deep center that drove in freshman first baseman Arianna Miranda for the first run of the game.
In the top of the third, senior catcher Alyssa Avila walked and was pushed around the bases by an error and more walks, including when sophomore shortstop Rayohna Sagapolu was at the plate, doubling the Spartans’ lead.
Then things took a turn. The Bulldogs came back in the bottom of the third sparked by extra base hits from upperclassmen Jade Nua and Kaitlyn Jennings.
Down two late, the Spartans did show some fight. Freshman outfielder Jenessa Ullegue doubled to right center to start the top of the sixth. Ullegue advance to third with freshman infielder Alyssa Graham single and scored on a junior outfielder Makayla Englestad hit to cut the deficit to 1.
That was the way it stayed however, as the runs ran out for the Spartans.
SJSU now turns its attention to the former Mountain West champs — the Boise State Broncos — for a home series starting Friday night.
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