Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
San Jose State
Bulldogs Split Series
4/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 26, 2009
SAN JOSE, Calif. - It came down to the ninth inning for the Fresno State baseball team, but fell, 6-5, in the final game of the series against San Jose State. The Bulldogs tallied five runs on nine hits.
The Bulldogs split the series with the Spartans and are 4-8 in conference. The `Dogs have an overall mark of 20-22.
Leadoff batter Danny Muno doubled down the left field line to open the game. Junior Alan Ahmady hit an RBI double to right field as Muno scored giving the Bulldogs, a 1-0 lead. Ahmady was thrown out at third base when he tried to stretch into a triple.
Ahmady has 151 career RBIs and is the ninth Bulldog to reach that mark. He needs one more to tie for seventh on the all-time Fresno State RBI list.
In the first inning, right fielder Steve Detwiler launched the ball home and catcher Danny Grubb tagged the runner out preventing the Spartans from getting a run across the plate.
San Jose State took a, 2-1, lead after scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Designated hitter Jake Johnson opened the second inning with a single to shallow right field for the `Dogs third hit of the game.
Senior Holden Sprague came out of the bullpen in the second inning making his first appearance of the series. Sprague sat down six Spartans in a row. The righty struck out five batters in 7 2/3 innings.
Second baseman Ryan Allgrove started the third inning with a single up the middle. Muno singled to right field and Allgrove advanced to third base. Freshman Dusty Robinson singled to right field as Allgrove made it home tying the game at two runs a piece and Muno advanced to second base.
Ahmady loaded the bases after reaching base on a fielding error. Tom Mendonca reached on a fielder's choice as Muno scored the go ahead run giving the Bulldogs a, 3-2 lead.
Mendonca stands alone in fourth place on Fresno State's all-time RBI list with 158 career RBIs.
In the fourth inning, senior Gavin Hedstrom singled up the middle. Allgrove walked advancing Hedstrom to second base. Muno singled to the shortstop moving to Allgrove and allowing Hedstrom to cross home plate giving the Bulldogs a, 4-2 edge. Robinson singled up the middle bringing Allgrove home and the Bulldogs took a 5-2 lead before ending the inning.
Hedstrom made a great catch in center field on the warning track keeping Spartan runners from reaching or advancing bases.
The Spartans scored a run in the seventh inning, but still trailed the Bulldogs 5-3.
Ahmady walked in the eighth inning. He has 107 career walks and tied for six on Fresno State's all-time walk list with Todd Johnson. The junior needs nine to move tie Bulldog coach Matt Curtis with 116 walks in fifth place.
Sprague gets back-to-back strikeouts to retire the eighth inning.
The Spartans scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning winning game 4 6-5.
The Bulldogs head to Cal Poly on April 28 for a midweek game against the Mustangs at 6 p.m.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs continue their road trip as they travel to Cal Poly for a single game Tuesday, April 28 at 6:00 pm. 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.
