Las Vegas, Nev.—The San José State softball team was held to just three hits as the Spartans fell 3-0 at UNLV in the first of a three-game Mountain West series this weekend.
For the second consecutive game, the Spartans had just three hits and did not score a run. The Spartans left seven runners on base including five in the first three innings of the game.
San José State had the leadoff hitter reach base in each of the first two innings but was unable to get the runner past second base. Rayohna Sagapolu led the game off with a single up the middle and, with one out, advanced to second on a Madison Aurin single to left field. However, both runners were left stranded as SJSU flied out twice to end the inning.
The second inning was similar as Jacey Phipps walked to start, advanced to second as Alyssa Graham grounded out. With two outs, Makayla Englestad drew a walk to put Spartan runners at first and second base. Sagapolu came back up to the plate but hit line drive to right field to end the inning.
In the third inning, Cassidy Clark started the inning by reaching on a Rebel error, but was left at first base as the next three batters flied out, popped out and struck out.
San José State did not get another hit until the seventh inning when Alyssa Avila singled to left center. However, the Spartans could not get another hit with a strikeout and line-out double play to end the game.
UNLV scored one run in the second, third and sixth innings. The first run of the game came on squeeze play in the second followed by a solo home run in the third and an unearned run in the sixth. Starting pitcher Jenny Bressler pitched 6.1 innings with three walks and six strikeouts as her record improved to 17-5.
Spartan starting pitcher Jenessa Ullegue allowed six hits and three runs, two earned, in six innings pitched. She struck out five of the 25 batters faces and walked just one. Her record falls to 12-4 on the season.
The teams play game two of the series on Friday beginning at 4 p.m.
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