Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
UC Davis
Mendonca Hits Game Winning Home Run
4/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 1, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - For the second time this season Tom Mendonca has hit a game-winning home run for the Bulldogs. Mendonca's walk off home run lifted the Fresno State baseball team to a 4-2 victory over UC Davis.
"Tommy hit that ball well. He was close all night and kept getting closer and closer," said head coach Mike Batesole. "We could feel it in the dugout and he hit out of here."
Mendonca has 12 home runs on the season and is three home runs away from breaking the Fresno State career home run record.
The Bulldogs scored four runs on six hits and recorded four RBIs. The `Dogs improve to 14-11 in 2009.
Sophomore Danny Muno singled up the middle to start the offense in the first inning. Muno stole second base, his seventh base of the season. Alan Ahmady singled to shallow left field advancing Muno to third base. WAC hitter of the Week Tom Mendonca grounded out at third base as Muno scored giving the Bulldogs the 1-0 lead.
The Aggies responded in the top of the third inning scoring a run tying the game at 1-1.
The `Dogs infield turned a double play to retire the fourth inning preventing the Aggies from taking the lead.
Left-hander Josh Poytress made his third start on the hill for the Bulldogs. The freshman struck out four in six innings.
Muno reached base after getting hit by a pitch. Ahmady singled to shallow center field advancing Muno to third base. Mendonca flew out in center field and Muno scored as the Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning.
The Bulldog infield came through in the seventh inning making two great plays to retire the side before the Aggies could score.
UC Davis hit a solo home run to right field to tie the game at two runs apiece.
Taylor Garrison came in relief on the mound and sat down the batters in order in the top of the ninth. The freshman earned his fourth win of the season improving to 4-1.
In the ninth inning, Ahmady reached on error. Mendonca hit a two-run home run to give the Bulldogs the 4-2 victory.
The Bulldogs host Cal State Bakersfield for a three-game series April 3-5 at Beiden Field. The games can be heard on KMJ 580 or followed on gobulldogs.com.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs host CSU Bakersfield at Beiden Field April 3-5 in a three game weekend series. The `Dogs and Roadrunners square off Friday at 6:05 pm, Saturday at 2:05 pm and Sunday at 1:05 pm. Saturday is Family Fun Day and one ticket gets admission to the baseball, lacrosse and softball games that day. Junior Bulldog Kids Club members can run the bases after Sunday's game. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
