Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Bakersfield
`Dogs Beat Roadrunners
4/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 5, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team hit three out of the park and tallied 13 hits winning game three against Cal State Bakersfield, 9-2. The Bulldogs took two of three games over the weekend against the Roadrunners and improve to 16-12.
The Bulldogs lead the series 4-1 heading into the two-game series against the `Runners on April 7-8.
Senior Gavin Hedstrom opened the first inning getting hit by a pitch. Shortstop Danny Muno walked advancing Hedstrom to second base. Preseason All-WAC Player of the Year Tom Mendonca singled to right field driving in Hedstrom and advancing Muno to second base.
Muno advanced to third base on a wild pitch. First baseman Alan Ahmady walked to load the bases. Designated hitter Kenny Wise singled to the shortstop as Muno crossed home plate giving the Bulldogs the 2-0 lead.
Left Fielder Trent Soares hit a solo home run, his first of the season, to left field to extend the Bulldogs lead to 3-0 in the second inning.
The Roadrunners scored a run in the third inning trailing the Bulldogs 3-1.
Senior Holden Sprague started on the hill working six innings for the `Dogs. The righty struck out a career-high eight batters and allowed no walks. Sprague improves to 3-0 and has an ERA of 2.52.
"(Holden) Sprague was outstanding today and he set the tone for the whole day. He didn't walk anyone, strikes out eight in six innings and that set the stage," said head coach Mike Batesole. "(Trent)Soares had a great day at the plate."
In the fourth inning, catcher Danny Grubb singled to left field. Soares singled to right field advancing Grubb to second base. Brennan Gowens singled to the pitcher advancing to second on a throwing error. Soares advanced to third base and Grubb scored on the play giving the Bulldogs the 4-1 lead.
Junior Steve Detwiler launched a solo home run, his fourth of the season, to left center to increase Fresno State's lead 5-1. Detwiler is second on the team in home runs this season behind Mendonca.
Hedstrom singled to left field. Muno hit a bunt single advancing Hedstrom to second base. Mendonca grounded out at first advancing Hedstrom and Muno. Detwiler walked loading the bases. Wise walked advancing the runners and allowing Hedstrom to score giving the `Dogs a 6-1 lead.
Freshman Josh Poytress came in relief for the Bulldogs on the seventh inning. He struck out two batters in one inning.
Cal State Bakersfield scored one run in the top of the seventh inning trailing the `Dogs 6-2.
The Bulldogs tallied three runs in the seventh inning. Soares began the rally with an inside-the-park home run extending the Bulldogs lead to 7-2. It is the second home run of the game and season for the sophomore. It is also the second inside-the-park home run for the Bulldogs.
"He dove for the ball and I started running the bases," said Soares. "I saw him miss between first and second base. Coach Curtis gave the go around, so I kept running."
The rally continued as Gowens doubled to center field and advanced to third on a fielding error. Hedstrom reached base after getting hit by a pitch. Muno walked loading the bases. Mendonca grounded out at third allowing Gowens to cross home plate.
Ahmady singled to left field driving in Hedstrom giving the Bulldogs the 9-2 win.
The Bulldogs travel south to face Cal State Bakersfield in a two-game series April 7-8 at 2 p.m. on the road. The games can be followed on gobulldogs.com.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs travel to CSU Bakersfield for a two game series April 7-8 with the game starting at 2:00 pm each day. The `Dogs return to Beiden Field April 10-13 as they host New Mexico State in the WAC opening series. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
