Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Oregon St
Baseball Wins Sixth Consecutive Game
2/18/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 18, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State defeated Oregon State 4-1 at Pete Beiden Field Friday night and extended its winning streak to six games. The Bulldogs improved to 6-2 with the victory, while Oregon State dropped to 1-3.
Fresno State scored the game's first run when Brandon Gemoll (So., San Jose, Calif.) scored on Brad Harper's (So., Madera, Calif.) fielder's choice in the second inning. It appeared that would be all the support Bulldog starting pitcher Tom Graham (Sr., Modesto, Calif.) would need for the evening.
Graham carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing a one-out single to Beaver center fielder Eric Stark. Preseason All-American Joe Gerber followed with an RBI double down the right field line two batters later to knot the game at one. Graham struck out Josh Carter to end the inning.
However, the Bulldogs loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a hit batsman in their half of the sixth. Shortstop Josh Labandeira (Jr., Porterville, Calif.) followed with a two-out double to right field that plated all three runners and gave Fresno State an insurmountable 4-1 lead.
Graham picked up the win, allowing one run on two hits in his six innings of work. He improved to 2-1 for the season. Hans Smith (Sr., Central Point, Ore.) pitched the final three innings in relief of Graham and picked up his first save of the season. Smith, who earned his ninth career save, shut out the Beavers on two hits and struck out four.
"I thought Tom did an outstanding job tonight," Fresno State head coach Bob Bennett said. "Our pitching and defense were really good tonight. Hans did a good job in relief and Josh had the big hit in the ballgame."
Gemoll continued to wield a hot bat, as he went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. It was his team-leading sixth multi-hit game of the season. Tom Creighton (So., Weldon, Calif.), Ben Fritz (Fr., San Jose, Calif.) and Labandeira each extended their hitting streaks to six games. Creighton has reached base by either hit or walk in all eight of Fresno State's games this season. Center fielder Joey Myers (Fr., Fresno, Calif.) added a pair of singles for the Bulldogs.
Oregon State starter Thad Johnson picked up the loss, as he allowed four runs on six hits and walked four in his 5.2 innings pitched. Johnson record fell to 0-1 for the season. Craig Hays pitched the final 2.1 innings in relief for the Beavers.
The two teams will square off in game two of the series Saturday afternoon. Right-hander Shawn Hannah (Sr., Clovis, Calif.) is scheduled to bring his 1-1 record to the mound for the Bulldogs. Oregon State will counter with left-hander Scott Nicholson (0-1). First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at Pete Beiden Field.
