Fresno State Athletics
No. 16 `Dogs Open Season With a Win
2/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Known for winning in a dramatic fashion at the end of the 2008 season the Bulldogs picked up where they left-off in Omaha winning the College World Series.
Fresno State, ranked No. 16 in the nation, scored one run in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Pac-10's Washington Huskies 5-4.
For the first time in 15 years Pete Beiden Field was a maximum capacity as 3,825 fans filled the stadium for the 2009 season opener. Fresno State unveiled a National Championship sign under the scoreboard, a College World Series flag and new signs under the press box.
2008 CWS heroes Justin Wilson, Justin Miller, Erik Wetzel, Steve Susdorf, Brandon Burke and Clayton Allison each threw out ceremonial first pitches.
"I liked the electricity in the ball park and I thought our kids handled it well," said head coach Mike Batesole. "They got locked in when it was time to get locked in. In a big game like this you don't want to walk anybody and you don't make any errors, that means you had it under control. These kids have learned how to win in the last three years. You saw Holden Sprague holding it together just ripping his way through six innings without walking anybody, that was beautiful."
Fresno State senior pitcher Holden Sprague earned the starting nod in the game. He is coming off a season in which he made 33 appearances, had a 6-2 record with a 3.59 ERA. He was the game-two winner in the CWS championship series against Georgia. Sprague was dominating early with two strikeouts in the first inning and went on to match his career-high of six strikeouts allowing one run on six hits over six innings of work.
The game was tight early as both starting pitchers, Sprague and Washington's Jordan Merry, took control of the game.
The Huskies took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.
The `Dogs rallied in the fifth inning with two runs to take the 2-1 lead. Danny Muno hit his second single of the night. Gavin Hedstrom reached on a walk and Muno advanced to second. Both Bulldogs advanced on a passed ball. Jake Johnson hit a single to left field and drove in Hedstrom and Muno.
In his debut as a Bulldog Dane McLaughlin scored the `Dogs third run of the night. Nick Hom reached base on catcher's interference and McLaughlin pinch ran for Hom. McLaughlin advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Danny Grubb. Junior transfer Isacc Vivas reached on walk. Both Vivas and McLaughlin advanced on a wild pitch. Muno hit his third single of the night and reached base on an error from the Huskies third baseman and McLaughlin scored the `Dogs third run.
In his first appearance as a Bulldog freshman pitcher Derek Benny (Roseville, Calif.) sat down the Husky batters 1-2-3 in the seventh inning.
The Huskies tied the game at three a piece in the top of the eight with two hits and two runs.
Bulldog freshman Dusty Robinson hit a home run dead center over the 400 mark with no wind on a cool night to give Fresno State a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Robinson was third in the nation in home runs hit during his senior season of high school.
The Huskies followed with a home run to tie the game 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning.
In the bottom of the ninth lead-off batter Johnson hit a double to left center. The next batter Mendonca singled to center field moving Johnson to third. After a Washington pitching change, Brian Pearl came into face College World Series hero Steve Detwiler. But, Detwiler never got a chance perform in the clutch as Johnson scored the winning run on a wild pitch and the Bulldogs won 5-4.
Junior transfer Zac Bischoff earned the victory in his first game.
"It was good there were a lot of people out here, especially in (my) hometown like this the atmosphere was great," said Sprague. "It is nice to come out with a victory in front of so many fans. The ending was climatic, but it also ended in a `w' for us."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs continue their three-game series with the Washington Huskies at Beiden Field Saturday at 2:05 pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
