Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Temple
No. 19 Fresno State Wins PJQ Opener Against Temple
3/6/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 6, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - No. 19 Fresno State fell into an early 3-0 hole against Temple but rallied for three runs in the seventh to post a 5-3 victory in Monday's opening round of the 22nd Annual Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic at Pete Beiden Field. It was the Bulldogs' ninth come-from-behind victory this season. Fresno State improved to 15-4 with the victory, while the Owls saw their record fall to 0-6 for the season.
Temple jumped on Fresno State starter Zach Minor (So., Walnut Creek, Calif.) for three runs on four hits in the top of the first inning. J.J. Durmanich (Jr., Golden Valley, Calif.) relieved Minor with two outs in the inning and shut out the Owls for the next seven innings. Durmanich scattered five hits and struck out two en route to his first victory of the season. Hans Smith (Sr., Central Point, Ore.) struck out three over the final 1.1 innings to earn his third save of the season and the 11th of his career. Smith moved into sole possession of third place on the all-times saves list.
"The difference in this game was J.J.," Fresno State head coach Bob Bennett said. "He did an exceptional job for us tonight against a good hitting ballclub. He pitched an outstanding game and this was a big one for him. It pushed him into the forefront and it gave him confidence. It also gave us valuable innings out of the bullpen."
While the bullpen was doing its job, the Fresno State offense chipped away against Owl starter Matt Powell. The Bulldogs plated single runs in the third and fourth before rallying in the seventh to take the lead for good.
Nick Garcia (Jr., Lakewood, Calif.) led the way for the Bulldog offense, as he went 3-for-4 with his first home run of the season and two RBIs. Tony Guzman (Jr., Clovis, Calif.) was 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of runs scored.
"Tonight was a great example of what we have had a tendency to do the past few games," Bennett said. "We have been pecking away on offense. That is what good pitching will do for you. They have held us in games and given our hitters a chance to get clutch hits."
Powell picked up a no-decision, as he allowed three runs on eight hits and walked two in his six-plus innings of work. Chris Joyce relieved Powell in the seventh, allowed a pair of runs on one hit and two walks in two innings pitched and picked up the loss. Joyce's record dropped to 0-3 for the season.
In other tournament action Monday, Creighton (11-1) defeated Bowling Green (0-4), 4-1, UNC-Asheville (2-5) got past Southern Illinois (6-3), 10-4, and Gonzaga (7-4) outlasted Indiana State (5-4), 12-10 in seven innings.
The Bulldogs return to action on Tuesday night when they play Creighton in day two of the tournament. Right-hander Tom Graham (Sr., Modesto, Calif.) is scheduled to make the start for Fresno State. Graham will bring a 3-1 record and a 3.48 ERA into the contest. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Beiden Field.
