Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Bakersfield
`Dogs Top Roadrunners
4/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 3, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - For the second game in a row, the Fresno State baseball team earned a victory late in the game. Junior Tom Mendonca launched a double to left field allowing Danny Muno to score the winning run.The 'Dogs earned the 9-8 win over Cal State bakersfield.
The `Dogs last outing Mendonca knocked a game-winning home run. The Bulldogs are 15-11 on the season.
Cal State Bakersfield jumped to an early, 1-0, lead after scoring one run in the top of the first inning.
Freshman Dusty Robinson launched the ball to home plate from left field as catcher Danny Grubb tagged the runner out preventing the Roadrunners from extending their lead.
Shortstop Danny Muno reached second base on a error in left field. Junior Tom Mendonca singled to right field driving in Muno to tie the game, 1-1. Mendonca advanced to second as the `Runners attempted to tag Muno out at home.
In his fourth start of the season, Derek Benny, sat down the batters 1-2-3 in the top of the second inning. Benny struck out four `Runners in 5 1/3 innings of work.
"You got to watch those freshmen go out there. (Derek) Benny didn't have what he had in his last outing, but still found a way to get through 5 1/3 innings. (Tom) Harlan backs it up left handed and then you bring in (Cody) Kendall for two innings," said head coach Mike Batesole. "Three freshman and back it up with a senior. It is back to piecing it together."
Designated hitter Kenny Wise singled up the middle. Grubb doubled to left center field and Wise scored giving the Bulldogs the 2-1 lead.
The Roadrunners scored two runs in the top of the third inning and the `Runners took a 3-2 lead.
Gavin Hedstrom walked in the third inning. Muno singled through the left side advancing Hedstrom to second base. Mendonca reached on a fielder's choice as Hedstrom advanced to third base and Muno was tagged out at second base. Alan Ahmady walked to load the bases. Right fielder Steve Detwiler grounded out at third base as Hedstrom scored to tie the game at 3-3.
The `Runners increased their lead to 5-2 after scoring two runs in the fourth inning.
The Bulldogs rallied for five runs in the fifth inning. Muno started the offensive surge with a single to left field. Ahmady singled up the middle advancing Muno to third base. Ahmady advanced to second base on a throwing error and Muno scored as the `Dogs trailed 5-4.
Detwiler reached base after getting hit by a pitch. Wise walked to load the bases. Robinson cleared the bases allowing three Bulldogs to cross home plate with a single to right field.
Grubb reached on a fielder's choice as Robinson was tagged out at second. Grubb advanced to second base on a throwing error. Center fielder Brennan Gowens singled up the middle driving in Grubb giving the Bulldogs the 8-5 lead.
Freshman Tom Harlan came out of the bullpen for the `Dogs in the sixth inning and picked off a runner at second base.
CSUB answered in the top of the sixth inning scoring three runs to time the game at eight runs apiece.
Cody Kendall worked the mound in relief sitting down the batters in order in the seventh inning.
The infield got the Bulldogs out of a jam in the top of the eighth inning by turning a double play. The `Dogs have turned 24 double plays this season.
The Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning as Muno walked. Mendonca doubled to left field allowing Muno to score as the Bulldogs won 9-8.
"It was an exciting win. Everyone contributed tonight, which was good to see. We all took good at bats and we all stuck to our plan," said Muno. "We battled that pitcher out throughout the game."
Holden Sprague came in to close in the ninth inning and sat down the batters in order to retire the side. Sprague earned his first save of the season.
The Bulldogs continue the three-game series against Cal State Bakersfield tomorrow with first pitch at 2:05 p.m. The game can be heard live 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.
