Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Washington
`Dogs Take Series With Huskies With 3-1 Win
2/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 22, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - In one of the most memorable weekends in Fresno State baseball history the No. 16 Bulldogs closed out a three-game series with a 3-1 win over Washington. That gave the Bulldogs a 2-1 edge in the series against the Huskies.
The weekend included a large celebration of Friday night to honor the 2008 National Champions with a sellout crowd of 3,825 and two other games with excellent attendance.
The Bulldogs used strong pitching and defense, trademarks of coach Mike Batesole teams, to win the third game of the series.
Sophomore right hander Jake Floethe got his second career start in the final game of the series. Floethe recorded a career-high five strikeouts in a career-high six shutout innings. Twice Floethe sat down the batters in order.
"He was outstanding today," said Batesole. "What we saw out there was what Jake learned last year watching and listening to conversations with (Justin) Wilson, (Brandon) Burke, and (Clayton) Allison. He learned a lot from that and you can see that by the way he pitched today."
The Bulldogs gained an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Preseason All-WAC player Steve Detwiler singled to the right side. Catcher Danny Grubb then hit a double to center field that moved Detwiler to third. Freshman Brennan Gowens grounded out at second, but drove Detwiler in for the `Dogs' first run.
Freshman Taylor Garrison relieved Floethe in the seventh, making his first appearance at Beiden Field. Garrison also picked up his first career win.
The Huskies scored their only run in top of the seventh inning.
In the bottom of the seventh the `Dogs regained the lead 3-1 as second baseman Isacc Vivas reached base on an error. Sophomore shortstop Danny Muno used a sacrifice bunt to advanced Vivas to second.
Senior Gavin Hedstrom doubled to center and Vivas advanced to third base. Preseason All-American Tom Mendonca hit a single driving in Vivas and Hedstrom for his first two RBIs of the year.
Freshman Derek Benny made his second appearance of the series in the top of the eighth and took care of all three Dawgs he faced. Benny earned his first career save.
Muno showed why he was chosen as a Preseason All-WAC player as he went 3-for-3 with two singles and a double. He improved his batting average to .500 Muno also walked and had a sacrifice bunt.
The `Dogs face Cal Poly on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6:05 p.m. at home in Beiden Field. The Mustangs will come to Fresno after taking two of three games from nationally ranked Rice, a team that advanced to the 2008 College World Series.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs host Cal Poly at Beiden Field Tuesday, February 24 at 6:05 pm. It's Two for Tuesday and all tickets are buy-one-get-one free. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
