Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
New Mexico State
Ribera Home Run Sends `Dogs to WAC Final
5/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 24, 2009
HONOLULU - The Fresno State baseball team survived their third elimination game to advance to the WAC final game after beating New Mexico State, 9-7.
The Bulldogs rallied in the eighth and ninth inning scoring five runs to come from behind. This is the fourth consecutive year Fresno State has played for the WAC Tournament Title.
Sophomore Danny Muno led off the first inning with a walk to extend his single season walk record to 63 walks in 2009.
Freshman Cody Kendall started the game sitting down the Aggie batters in order. The Bulldog infield turns a 5-6-3 double play in the second inning and has 53 double plays this year.
2009 WAC Player of the Year Tom Mendonca knocked his 27th home run of the year over the left center wall in the third inning giving the Bulldogs the lead, 1-0. Mendonca dove for the ball at third base and threw a runner out on his knees to retire the third inning.
In the third inning, designated hitter Kenny Wise doubled to left center field. Senior Gavin Hedstrom followed with an RBI double down the left field line bringing home Wise and the `Dogs lead, 2-0.
The Aggies scored four runs in the fourth inning taking the lead, 4-2.
Kendall threw four innings striking out two Aggie batters.
New Mexico State added three runs in the fifth inning increasing their lead, 7-2.
First baseman Jordan Ribera singled through the right side. Right fielder Brennan Gowens doubled off the center field wall moving Ribera to third base. Wise grounded out to second base bringing home Ribera and the `Dogs trail, 7-3. Gowens advanced to third base on the play.
Hedstrom grounded out to the shortstop allowing Gowens to score and the Bulldogs trail, 7-4, in the sixth inning.
Senior Holden Sprague came in relief in the fifth inning. Sprague retired the bottom of the sixth inning in order. He sat down ten consecutive Aggie batters.
In the eighth inning, Mendonca walked. Ribera singled to right field moving Mendonca to second base. Gowens loaded the bases with a single to left field. Mendonca scored on a wild pitch and the `Dogs trail, 7-5. Ribera and Gowens advanced bases on the play.
Wise flew out in left center field allowing Ribera to score and Gowens move to third base trailing, 7-6.
Garrison continued the eighth inning rally with a single up the middle bringing in Gowens tying the game, 7-7.
In the ninth inning, Mendonca singled to left field. With two outs, Ribera hit a two-run home run over the left field wall to give the Bulldogs the lead, 9-7, in the top of the ninth.
Sprague earned his seventh win of the year as the `Dogs hold on and force a second game for the WAC Tournament Title.
The Bulldogs will play the Aggies today at 6:45 pm PT for the WAC Tournament Title.
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