Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Bakersfield
Bulldogs Top CSUB 3-2
3/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 13, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - In front of another large crowd of 2,575 at Beiden Field, the Fresno State baseball team came from behind and beat Cal State Bakersfield, 3-2. After a pitching duel and defensive show down, the Bulldogs rallied in the seventh and eighth inning to improve to 4-1 in the tournament.
The Bulldogs are in first place in the Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic and improve to 9-5 on the season.
Holden Sprague got the starting nod for the Bulldogs, his fourth of year. The senior threw a career-high 8 1/3 innings striking out three Roadrunners. Sprague earned his second win of the year improving his record to 2-0. He has a 1.76 ERA in a total 30.2 innings pitched.
The Roadrunners scored two runs in the fourth inning to jump ahead 2-0.
The Runners starting pitcher, Mickey Jannis, threw 5.2 innings with no hits.
First hits of the game for the Bulldogs came from Danny Muno and Kenny Wise, but Cal State Bakersfield retired the inning before the `Dogs could score.
The Bulldog infield worked themselves out of a jam as Gavin Hedstrom tagged a runner out at second and threw the runner out at first to retire the side. The play was the Bulldogs 11th double play in 2009.
"We pitched well and we were solid on defense," said head coach Mike Batesole. "When we needed a double play, we made pitches. The key on offense was plate discipline and taking team at bats. The safety squeeze was a perfect example of doing whatever it takes for the team. That's what winners do - they find a way."
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, freshman Trent Garrison hit a double to center field and two Bulldogs scored to tie the game at 2-2.
In the bottom of the eighth inning and runners on the corners, Hedstrom hit a sacrifice bunt and Tom Mendonca scored giving the Bulldogs the 3-2 win. Hedstrom has three sacrifice hits on the year and was seventh in the nation in sacrifice hits in 2008 with 18.
Zac Bischoff threw the last two outs of the inning earning his first save.
The Bulldogs conclude Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic action tomorrow at 6:05 against Buffalo.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs host the Pepsi Johnny Quik Classic at Beiden Field March 9-14. The `Dogs host Buffalo Saturday night at 6 pm. Stop by selected Johnny Quik locations for complimentary tickets to the Pepsi Johnny Quik Classic. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
