Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
San Jose State
`Dogs Down San Jose State
4/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 24, 2009
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team opened the series in a breezy south bay with a pitcher's duel as neither team scored in eight innings. Finally, in the ninth inning the Bulldogs had a runner cross home plate as they defeated San Jose State 1-0 in the series opener.
"We are going to enjoy this one a little more than normal they deserve to win games like this," said head coach Mike Batesole. "To see them work hard and get paid for it is satisfying."
It is the fourth game that the `Dogs have won in the ninth inning in 2009. The Bulldogs are 3-6 in WAC and 19-20 overall. Batesole is six wins shy of reaching his 500th career victory.
In his second start at second base, Ryan Allgrove made a great diving stop throwing the Spartan runner out at first base to end the inning. Junior Matt Morse retired the first inning facing three batters and sat down the first four batters in order.
Senior Danny Grubb singled up the middle in the second inning to get the first hit of the game against San Jose State.
Grubb threw to Midseason All-American Tom Mendonca made a great defensive play and tagged the runner out.
Mendonca made another amazing play at third base. He made a diving stop and jumped up to his feet to throw the runner out at first base in the fifth inning.
The Bulldogs turned their 31st double play of the season to retire the bottom of the fifth preventing San Jose from scoring.
Allgrove singled to shallow center field. Allgrove stole second base, his first of the season and career. Freshman Dusty Robinson singled, but Allgrove was tagged out at home to keep the game scoreless heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.
Morse in his sixth start on the mound struck out three Spartans in a career-high nine innings. It is the first complete game shutout for Morse this season. He is the second Bulldog pitcher to go the distance this year.
"Matt (Morse) and Danny (Grubb) were working exceptionally well and our defense fed off that," said Batesole. "Morse pounded the zone and the defense was behind him. It is exactly what we needed. We have struggled on the road and we showed the bullpen how to get it done."
Morse made his first appearance on a Friday night. The right-hander has a 1-2 record with a 3.47ERA in 2009. Morse sat down nine Spartan batters in a row.
In the top of the ninth, Robinson doubled down the left field line. Mendonca was intentionally walked. Designated hitter Jake Johnson singled to left field as Robinson scored the first run of the game giving the Bulldogs the 1-0 lead.
Johnson's RBI single gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 victory over San Jose State.
"It was an outstanding game on the mound and for the defense," said head coach Mike Batesole. "(Jake) Johnson has been working his tail off. We don't have a guy who has worked as hard as he has the last couple of months, so it's good for him. When they put the time in you have to give them their chance, he deserved it."
The Bulldogs continue the four-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1 p.m.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs continue their road trip as they travel to San Jose State for a four game WAC series April 24-26. The Bulldogs return to Beiden Field Friday, May 1 as they host WAC rival Nevada. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
