Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal Poly
`Dogs Take No. 13 Cal Poly to Extra Innings
4/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 28, 2009
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team took No. 13 Cal Poly to extra innings in a midweek contest, but fell 17-16 in the 10th inning. It is the second game that the Bulldogs have gone into extra innings in 2009.
The Bulldog offense exploded for three home runs from Tom Mendonca, Alan Ahmady and a grand slam by freshman Dusty Robinson. The `Dogs scored 16 runs on 16 hits and have a 20-23 overall mark.
Fresno State's pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts, which is the most the Bulldogs have struck out in a single game.
The two teams faced off earlier this season at Beiden Field in Fresno and the Mustangs came out on top winning, 13-11.
Leadoff batter Danny Muno walked. Mendonca launched a home run over the left field wall giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead. Mendonca has 17 home runs on the year.
Designated hitter Kenny Wise singled to right field. Wise safely slid into second base. It is the freshman's fifth stolen base in 2009. Right fielder Brennan Gowens doubled to center field and Wise crossed home plate extending the `Dogs lead to 3-0.
Cal Poly answered with three runs in the bottom of the first inning tying the game at 3-3.
In the second inning, shortstop Ryan Allgrove singled to shallow left field. Muno singled passed the second baseman and Allgrove advanced to third base. Ahmady knocked one over the left field wall, his third of the season, and the Bulldogs regain the lead, 6-3.
The Mustangs responded with six runs in the second inning taking a 9-6 lead. Sophomore Gene Escat came out of the bullpen for the `Dogs recording back-to-back strikeouts to retire the third inning.
Left fielder Dusty Robinson reached base on a fielding error. Ahmady walked and Robinson advanced to second base. Mendonca singled to right field as Robinson scored and Ahmady advanced to third base. The Bulldogs trail 11-7.
Pinch hitter Jake Johnson grounded out to the shortstop allowing Ahmady to cross home plate and the Bulldogs trail 11-8.
Junior Zac Bischoff came in relief in the fourth inning and sat down the Mustang batters 1-2-3. The righty threw two scoreless innings and struck out a career-high five batters.
Senior Gavin Hedstrom reached base in the fifth inning after getting hit by a pitch. Allgrove walked moving Hedstrom to second base. Muno walked to load the bases. Robinson hit a grand slam over the left center field taking the lead, 12-11.
Robinson's grand slam is the third time this season the `Dogs have hit a home run with the bases loaded.
Cal Poly tied the game at 12 runs apiece in the sixth inning.
In the seventh inning the Bulldogs scored four runs regaining the lead. Muno reached base on a fielding error. Robinson hit a single to left field advancing to third base. Robinson advanced to second base on the throw to third base. Ahmady singled up the middle allowing two runners to score giving Fresno State the lead, 14-12.
Mendonca reached on an error moving Ahmady to third base. Mendonca advanced to second base on the error. Gowens hit an RBI single to second base increasing the `Dogs lead, 15-12.
Hedstrom grounded out to the shortstop allowing Gowens to advance to second base and bringing Mendonca home as the Bulldogs lead, 16-12.
Left-hander Josh Poytress came out of the bullpen in the seventh inning and sat down the Cal Poly batters in order.
In the eighth inning, Muno walked. Muno walked three times on the night bringing his career total to 100. He needs two more to tie eighth place on the all-time list. Muno stole second base and he has 11 stolen bases this season.
The Bulldog infield turned their 35th double play of the year retiring the eighth inning preventing the Mustangs from scoring.
Cal Poly scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game, 16-16.
The Mustangs scored in the bottom of the tenth inning to earn the 17-16 victory.
The Bulldogs return home to face Nevada in a four-game series starting Friday, May 1 at 6:05 p.m. in Beiden Field.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs return to Beiden Field as they host WAC rival Nevada May 1-3. The `Dogs and Wolf Pack square off Friday at 6:05 pm, continue with a doubleheader starting at 2:05 pm Saturday and wrap up the series Sunday at 1:05 pm. Saturday's game features a Community Food Bank food drive. Sunday is Youth Baseball Day and all youth baseball players are invited to take the field for the National Anthem. Visit gobulldogs.com for more information on Youth Baseball Day or to purchase tickets.
