Fresno State Athletics
Baseball Downed by Cal 16-6
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 18, 1999
FRESNO, Calif. - The Bears of California-Berkeley had Fresno State's number for the second time in just over a month as they defeated the Bulldogs, 16-6, at Beiden Field. On February 9, the Bears broke a four-all tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat the Bulldogs.
The game was moved back from Tuesday to Wednesday because Cal had to reschedule Pac-10 games with Washington State.
Cal jumped on the board early as they would pick up two runs in the second inning, then come back for six more in the second inning. The Bears got a big offensive explosion from third baseman Xavier Nady who went 5-6 with two home runs and seven RBIs. Cal lead-off man Preston Sharp would bat three times in the game before Jason Fanconi, the number nine hitter in the Bulldogs' line-up, would come to bat for the first time.
Fresno State would finally break through against Cal starter David Cash with four runs in the third inning. Fanconi would get things started when he was hit by a pitch. Fanconi would move up to second. on a single by second baseman Tom Creighton when the Bears' third baseman threw the ball past the first baseman. Center fielder Tony Guzman would also reach base on an error, scoring Fanconi.
Left fielder Anthony Acevedo, the WAC Player of the Week, would get on base as he became the second Bulldog of the inning to get hit. Freshman Brandon Gemoll would score Creighton on a single, then Guzman and Acevedo would come home on a single by designated hitter Simon Tafoya, who was making his first start since he injuried his hamstring after the Cal State Fullerton series.
While the Bulldogs cut Cal's lead in half in the third, the Bears would come back with two runs in the fourth inning and fourj more in the fifth. Guzman would hit the first home run of his career in the fifth and the Bulldogs pushed a run home in the sixth, but it was not enough as Cal went onto the 16-6 victory.
The loss drops the Bulldogs to 12-16 on the season. The Bulldogs will go on a 10-game road trip to Hawai'i starting Friday. Fresno State will play the Rainbows in a three-game WAC series, then stay the week for the Rainbow Easter Tournament.
