Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Illinois State (Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic)
Offense Leads Baseball Past Illinois State 15-6
3/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 11, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State pounded out 15 hits and batted around twice in a 15-6 victory over Illinois State in the Bulldogs' second game at the 25th annual Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic at Beiden Field.
The win was Fresno State's third in a row and improves it to 2-0 in the Red Division along with Penn State. The Bulldogs and Nittany Lions play tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Both teams teed off on the other's starting pitcher in the first inning, not exactly a surprise given both hurlers entered with ERA's in excess of 12 runs per game. The Redbirds (4-3) jumped to a 3-0 lead in the top half of the first on a three-run home run by Jake Blair over the left field wall. It was Blair's second homer of the year.
The Bulldogs (8-12) came right back with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the first, the big blow being a two-run double down the right field line by Scott Beshears. That was immediately followed by back-to-back walks, the second of which came to Brandon Marcelli and forced in a run, giving Fresno State a 4-3 lead.
Illinois State tied the score in the third inning when, with two outs and Jon Peacock on third, Blair put himself in a rundown in between first and second. While being pursued, Peacock bolted for home and scored to tie the contest 4-4.
It was in the fifth inning that Fresno State took control of the game, sending 11 men to the plate and scoring seven times to take an 11-5 lead. Chase Moore, Chris Patrick, Tory Davis and Beshears all drove in runs in the inning.
The Redbirds posted two runs in the top of the sixth to make it 11-6, but Fresno State got its cushion back in the eighth by scoring four times to go ahead 15-6. Cody Smith's three-run triple was the big hit in the frame.
Hitting heroes abounded for the Bulldogs. Patrick went 3-for-6 with two runs and an RBI while Davis went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. The 15 runs tallied were a season-high for Fresno State.
Gil Infante picked up the win, pitching 1.2 innings of relief to improve to 2-0. Mike Quinlan was hung with the loss, dropping him to 0-2.
The Bulldogs continue play in the Pepsi/Johnny Quik tomorrow at 7 p.m. against Penn State, which has won both of its games in the tournament.
