Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Sacramento State
Bulldogs Sweep Sacramento State
5/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team earned their first sweep of the season over Sacramento State after beating the Hornets, 11-8 and 7-6, Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs finish WAC play with 12-12 record and an overall mark of 28-27.
Fresno State hit six home runs over the weekend and three of the long balls aided in the Bulldogs come from behind win in the first game of the season.
Second base Danny Muno set a new single season record with 60 walks this season. The previous record was 56 walks set in 1978 by Ray Reyes with 56.
The 'Dogs will head into the WAC Tournament with a four-game winning streak.
Game 1: Fresno State 11, Sacramento State 8
The Bulldogs got three clutch home runs from Tom Mendonca, Dusty Robinson, and Brennan Gowens in the come from behind win that clinch a spot in the WAC Tournament.
Home run king Mendonca hit a solo home run over the right center field wall giving the Bulldogs an early lead, 1-0, in the first inning. Mendonca has 23 longs balls this season and 52 career home runs.
Left-hander Josh Poytress struck out the first batter he faced.
Sacramento State tied the game, 1-1, in the second inning with a run.
In the second inning, shortstop Isacc Vivas walked. Danny Muno doubled to left center field bringing home Vivas and the `Dogs regain the lead, 2-1.
Muno stole third base and has 13 stolen bases on the year.
Poytress had back-to-back strikeouts in the third inning. The freshman threw three 2/3 innings fanning four Hornet batters.
The Hornets scored four unearned runs to take the lead, 5-3, in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Bulldogs turned a 5-4-3 double play in the fifth inning. The team has 48 double plays this season.
Sacramento State scored a run extending their lead, 6-2.
Senior Gavin Hedstrom led off the seventh inning with a single to left field. Vivas doubled to left field moving Hedstrom to third base. Muno walked to load the bases for Mendonca. Mendonca cleared the bases with his second grand slam of the season and the `Dogs tie the game, 6-6.
The Hornets scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning taking back the lead, 8-6.
In the ninth inning, Vivas led off with a walk. Robinson launched a two-run home run over the left field wall to tie the game, 8-8. Robinson has 12 home runs this season.
Mendonca singled up the middle. First baseman Alan Ahmady walked moving Mendonca to second base. Gowens cleared the bases with a three-run home run as the `Dogs take the lead, 11-8.
Senior Holden Sprague came in to close in the ninth inning for Fresno State. Sprague earned his fourth save of the year and second of the weekend as the Bulldogs won, 11-8.
Game 2: Fresno State 7, Sacramento State 6
Muno led off the second game with a single up the middle. Robinson reached on a fielder's choice and advances to second on a throwing error. Gowens reached on an error to load the bases in the first inning. Wise walked bringing in the `Dogs first run giving them the lead, 1-0.
The Hornets scored in the bottom of the first inning tying the game at one run apiece.
Vivas singled up the middle in the second inning. He stole second base. Muno singled to right field allowing Vivas to score as the Bulldogs regain the lead, 2-1.
In his first start of the year, Gene Escat sat the Hornet batters down 1-2-3 in the second inning. The sophomore retired six consecutive Hornet batters.
In the third inning, Vivas doubled to left field. Muno walked. Vivas got tagged out at third base attempting to steal. Muno advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Robinson walked. Mendonca singled to left field allowing Robinson to move to second base and Muno to score as the Bulldogs lead, 3-1.
Ahmady singled up the middle moving Mendonca to second base and bringing home Robinson extending the `Dogs lead, 4-1.
Escat worked a 1-2-3 fourth inning sitting the batters down in order. The righty threw four and 1/3 innings striking out four batters.
Wise led off the fifth inning with blast over the right field wall increasing the Bulldogs lead, 5-1.
The Hornets scored four runs to tie the game, 5-5, in the fifth inning. Sprague came into close in the sixth inning and half an inning later he got his first collegiate at bat.
Hedstrom crushed a solo home run to left field giving the `Dogs the lead, 6-5. The senior has five home runs on the season.
Vivas hit a long ball to the parking structure for his third home run of the season and the `Dogs extend their lead, 7-5.
The Hornets score a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Sprague closed out the game earning his sixth win of the season improving to 6-3 on the year.
The Bulldogs head to the WAC tournament this week in Honolulu, HI.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs travel to Honolulu for the WAC Tournament Wednesday through Sunday. Visit gobulldogs.com for tournament information and game times.
