Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
San Jose State
Bulldogs Take Down No. 1 Seed Spartans
5/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 22, 2009
HONOLULU - Freshman Derek Benny threw a complete game giving the Fresno State baseball team the win over No. 1 seed San Jose State, 6-3. Benny was backed up, but a great defense and an offense that tallied six runs on 15 hits.
The Bulldogs are 13-1 in WAC Tournament play since the tournament began in 2006. The `Dogs have an overall mark of 29-28 heading into tomorrow's game against host Hawaii.
2009 WAC Player of the Year Tom Mendonca made a diving stop and from his knees to throw a Spartan runner out at second base to retire the first inning.
In the second inning, the defense continued to shine. Shortstop Isacc Vivas made a diving stop popping up to his feet and throwing the Spartan runner out at first base.
San Jose State jumped ahead in the second inning taking the lead, 1-0. The Bulldogs retired the inning by catching a runner attempting to steal second base.
First baseman Jake Johnson opened the bottom of the second inning with a double down the right field line. Freshman Brennan Gowens singled to left field moving Johnson to third base. Designated hitter flew out in right field allowing Johnson to score tying the game, 1-1.
The Spartans scored an unearned run taking the lead, 2-1, in the top of the third inning.
In the bottom third inning, First Team All-WAC second baseman Danny Muno singled to left field. Freshman Dusty Robinson reached on a fielder's choice as Muno was tagged out at second base. Robinson stole second base. Mendonca singled up the middle bringing Robinson home tying the game, 2-2.
Freshman Derek Benny sat the Spartan batters down 1-2-3 with the help of the infield turning their 50th double play of the year. The righty sat down six consecutive batters.
Catcher Trent Garrison caught another Spartan runner attempting to steal second base. The freshman caught two runners this afternoon against San Jose State.
The Spartans scored in the sixth inning regaining the lead, 3-2.
In the sixth inning, the Bulldogs took their first lead of the game after back-to-back home runs from Robinson and Mendonca leading, 4-3. Robinson's long sailed over the left field wall, while Mendonca knocked one over the left center wall.
Benny worked out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the seventh inning preventing the Spartans from scoring the tying run.
Robinson walked in the seventh inning. Mendonca doubled down the left field line and Robinson scored on a fielding error extending the `Dogs lead, 5-3.
Johnson singled to left field bringing Mendonca home and Johnson advanced to second base on the throw home. The Bulldogs lead, 6-3, in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Benny retired the ninth inning earning his third complete game of the season in the, 6-3, win over No. 1 seed San Jose State.
The Bulldogs continue Napa Auto Parts WAC Tournament action against Hawaii at 6 pm PT.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs face Hawaii at 6 pm PT in the next round of the 2009 Napa Auto Parts WAC Tournament. Visit gobulldogs.com for tournament information and game times.
