San Diego State Aztecs softball is back home after losing this past weekend series against the Nevada Wolf Pack.

It does not get any easier for the Aztecs as they host a deep Fresno State team. The Aztecs will play a doubleheader against the Bulldogs starting at noon on Wednesday, April 2. Both games will be streamed on the Mountain West Network. The Bulldogs are one of four Mountain West teams in the Top 60 of RPI, sitting at 54.

The Bulldogs are having an impressive year so far, with a record of 23-11 and 7-2 to start conference play. They are led by junior catcher/first baseman Kennedy Bunker and junior left-handed pitcher Serayah Neiss, who have been the stars for Fresno. Bunker leads the Bulldogs in BA, OBP, SLG%, OPS, and hits. She has been the leader on this talented Bulldogs roster.

Offensively, the Bulldogs do not often hit the long ball, but they will punish you with it if you make a mistake. The Bulldogs do not run as often as the Wolf Pac, but will run often on the base paths. Fresno State has stolen 42 bags in the year in 48 attempts, with a steal percentage of 87.5%. Only one player is not a threat, and that is the Bulldogs leader in home runs, senior Lauren Almeida.

The Bulldogs’ pitching staff is led by Neiss, who leads them in IP, ERA, and Ks. At times, coach Stacy May-Johnson will go five deep with the pitching staff, all of whom have pitched significant innings. May-Johnson will utilize at least these three pitchers in the doubleheader: Neiss, Key-annah Pu’a-Campbell, and Faith Jordan. All three have an ERA below 2.70 and have the ability to shut down any offense they face.

A pair of stellar outings net @cellura2023 her nd @MountainWest Pitcher of the Week this year!! #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/Lt5wF44e29

— San Diego State Softball (@AztecSoftball) March 31, 2025

The Aztecs can continue the one positive into this week, and that is the pitching staff. Cece Cellura, who was just announced Mountain West Pitcher of the Week, was outstanding against the dangerous Wolf Pack offense. Cellura went 10.2 innings with a 0.66 ERA and 0.84 WHIP while recording 10 Ks on the weekend. Grace Uribe also did well in the circle for the Aztecs, shutting down the Wolf Pack in 3.1 innings of work. The pitching staff of Cellura, Uribe, Dee Dee Hernandez, and Ava Schaffel need to be on point vs a very gritty and fast Bulldogs offense.

The big key for the Aztecs in the doubleheader is to get the offense back to what it can be and what they have shown. It all starts with the veterans on the roster, Cali Decker and Bella Espinoza. When these two struggle, the offense typically struggles, but when they are getting on base and working counts, their teammates follow them.

The start times for the doubleheader on Wednesday, April 2, are 12 PM and 2:30 PM. The start time for the second game will be determined based on the end of the first game.

Now is the time for Coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz and the Aztecs to catch fire.

Bryant Thursby

Assistant Coach at Heritage High School. A big time SDSU fanatic and Padres fan.