[NEVADA ATHLETICS RELEASE]
STANFORD, Calif. – Nevada Softball took back-to-back losses for the first time this season after dropping its second game against #18 Stanford.
A lead-off single by Saige Alfaro matched the Pack’s hit total from Saturday against the Cardinal after just three pitches. Following an Alfaro steal, Di Genova walked; but the Pack could not capitalize on the runners.
Stanford looked to have a promising opportunity too in the first inning. A walk and single moved into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt to give Stanford second and third with one out. However, the Cardinal’s clean-up matter lined out to Haley Painter, who stepped on third base to double up the runner and end the inning.
Nevada loaded the bases in the second inning through a Maya Larsen walk, Madison Clark single, and Alfaro hit-by-pitch. A high pop-out ended the inning stranding all three runners and bringing Nevada to five left on base through just two innings.
The Cardinal wasted zero time in the second inning, reaching base on the first pitch through a hit batter. Two pitches later, Stanford doubled to the left field gap, scoring the base runner from first. Ainsley Berlingeri shut down the Stanford hitting after the run scored, getting two flyouts and a swinging strikeout.
Stanford added to their lead with a home run to center field in the third inning.
Both teams went quiet through the next two innings. Nevada went six-up-six-down in the fourth and fifth, while Stanford only managed a pair of singles that each stole second but could not get further.
Nevada broke through in the sixth inning, as Di Genova got her third free base of the day, walking to lead off the inning. Haylee Engelbrecht reached on a possible double play ball botched by the Stanford third baseman. Larsen singled to the right side, bringing home Bailie Clark, who pinch-ran for Di Genova. A pair of strikeouts ended the inning for Nevada, leaving two runners on base.
Tess Bumiller pulled herself out of a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning. After two runners walked and another was hit in a full count, Bumiller got a pop-out to shallow right field to end the inning.
The bottom of the seventh inning began with a swinging strikeout for Nevada. Then, Aaliyah Jenkins crushed a double just inside the third base foul line, putting the tying runner in scoring position. The next Nevada batter struck out, bringing the Pack to its last out. A first pitch passed ball allowed Jenkins to advance to third, even making it a long way down the path to home before retreating to third base. The third strikeout of the inning finished things for Stanford, taking the game, 2-1.
Maya Larsen stood out for the Pack, going one-for-two including the RBI single to get Nevada on the board. Larsen also walked and recorded five putouts with an assist behind the plate. Hannah Di Genova reached base three times despite not registering an at-bat. Di Genova reached off two walks and a hit-by-pitch.
After taking the first-week bye, Nevada opens its Mountain West slate after a wild first weekend around the conference. The Pack will take on Boise State in a three-game series starting Friday at 5 p.m. PT. The Broncos were swept by Fresno State in their conference opener, falling to the bottom of the standings early in league play.
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