Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Lipscomb
Floethe Strikes Out A Career-High Seven Batters
3/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 27, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State pitching staff struck out a combined 11 batters and the offense tallied six runs on six hits, but fell 10-6 to the Bisons of Lipscomb University. The Bulldogs are now 10-10 on the season.
The Bulldogs returned to Beiden Field after four games on the road in Los Angeles last weekend. The `Dogs were welcomed by another large crowd of 2,230. The average attendance for home games is up 600 from 2008.
The Bulldogs sported a new look against Lipscomb and wore their pant legs up showing off their red socks compared to pant leg all the way down.
Right-hander Jake Floethe opened the game earning all three outs by striking out the Lipscomb batters. The sophomore continued to be dominant on the mound as he tied his career-high strikeout record of five after the first two innings. He went on to strikeout a career-high seven batters in five innings.
The Bulldogs scored first jumping ahead with a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Sophomore Danny Muno singled to the shortstop. Left fielder Brennan Gowens reached on an error and Muno advanced. Ahmady flew out in center field advancing Muno to third base. Senior Gavin Hedstrom reached on an error and Muno scored the first run of the evening.
The Bisons answered in the top of the third by scoring five runs and taking a 5-1 lead.
Fresno State narrowed the Bisons lead to 5-4 in the third inning. Gowens walked to start off the inning. First baseman Alan Ahmady hit a double to right center field driving in Gowens. Tom Mendonca walked. Hedstrom singled to center field bringing in Ahmady and Mendonca advanced to third base. Mendonca scored on a passed ball before the inning ended.
In the bottom of the fifth inning Ahmady walked. Mendonca hit a single to right field advancing Ahmady to second base. Ahmady stole third base and then Mendonca stole second base a few pitches later. Ahmady scored the tying run on balk.
Junior Zac Bischoff came out of the Bullpen striking out three in 3 1/3 innings. Lipscomb took the lead after scoring one run in the top of the eighth inning.
The Bulldogs rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning tying the game at six runs apiece. Pinch hitter Kenny Wise singled to right center. Sophomore Jordan Ribera doubled to left field bringing in the tying run.
The Bisons added four runs in the top of the ninth to earn the 10-6 win.
The Bulldogs continue the series against Lipscomb with a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 2:05 p.m. The games can be heard live on KMJ 580.
"Join the State, Fresno State!" The Bulldogs continue the four-game series against the Lipscomb Bisons on Saturday, March 28 with a doubleheader starting at 2:05 p.m.
