Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
New Mexico State
Robinson Hits Walk Off Home Run In WAC Opener
4/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 10, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team opened WAC play with a 5-4 extra inning win over No. 23 New Mexico State. Freshman Dusty Robinson hit a walk off home run in the 10th inning and the `Dogs are 1-0 in conference play and 17-14 overall.
"We are starting out the WAC great, 1-0," said pitcher Derek Benny. "Dusty's home run was amazing. We knew he had it in him. He has done it before."
Robinson's home run is the third walk off home run that the Bulldogs have hit in 2009. Junior Tom Mendonca hit two walk off home runs earlier in the season. Mendonca is closing in on the Fresno State home run record and is three home runs away from becoming the home run king. This is also the first game that has gone into extra innings this season for Fresno State.
Fresno State tallied five runs on 10 hits committing no errors. The Aggies were averaging 11 runs a game and the Bulldogs held them to four runs.
This is the first time since 2006 that the defending WAC champion Bulldogs have opened the season at Beiden Field. The past two years the `Dogs have started conference play on the road in Ruston, La. and Honolulu.
"It is an awesome feeling with the fans going crazy and it is a great atmosphere," said Robinson. "Derek did well, our defense played well behind him and our bats started to roll. It is always good to win at home in Fresno."
Benny opened his first WAC game by sitting down the Aggie batters 1-2-3. He sat the NMSU batters down in order again in the third inning.
The Bulldogs jumped ahead in the third inning. Shortstop Danny Muno reached base after getting hit by a pitch. Muno advanced to second and third bases on wild pitches. Tom Mendonca singled to the third baseman allowing Muno to score giving the `Dogs the 1-0 lead.
Mendonca had one RBI on the night and 43 on the year. He is currently in eighth place with 150 career RBIs and needs two more to tie for sixth on the all-time RBI list.
Benny struck out a career-high nine batters in his fifth start of the year. He went seven shutout innings allowing only five hits.
"When he (Derek Benny) can pitch off his fast ball he can be really effective," said head coach Mike Batesole. "They came out and were patient early and Benny did a good job of pounding the zone."
In the fifth inning the Bulldogs added a run. Muno singled to center field. Senior Gavin Hedstrom sacrifice bunted as Muno advanced to second base. Hedstrom now leads the WAC in sacrifice bunts with seven on the year. First baseman Alan Ahmady singled down the right field line as Muno scored extending the `Dogs lead to 2-0.
Senior Holden Sprague came in eighth inning to close for the Bulldogs. He struck out three in two innings of work.
In the eighth inning, center fielder Brennan Gowens singled up the middle. Detwiler sacrificed bunted advancing Gowens to second base. Freshman Dusty Robinson doubled off the center field wall as Gowens crossed home plate increasing the Bulldogs lead to 3-0.
The Aggies scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 4-3 lead.
The Bulldogs tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning. Muno doubled to right field. Mendonca was intentionally walked. Gowens walked loading the bases. Detwiler singled to the second baseman advancing the runners and allowing Muno to score sending it into extra innings.
Dusty Robinson hit a walk home run in the tenth inning to give the Bulldogs the 5-4 win.
"I was two hitters ahead in my brain and the ball was hit," said Batesole. "It didn't really register until it was heading towards the scoreboard. I got to see it, but I don't know if I really got to see it."
The Bulldogs continue the four-game series against New Mexico State tomorrow at 6:05 p.m.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs open WAC play as the New Mexico State Aggies come to Beiden Field April 10-13. The `Dogs and Aggies play Friday at 6:05 pm, Saturday at 6:05 pm, Sunday at 2:05 pm and wrap up the series Monday at 6:05 pm. 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.
