Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Take Down Alumni
2/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 15, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team led by Preseason WAC Players of the Year Danny Muno and Derek Benny beat the Bulldog Alumni Saturday afternoon, 8-5.
The alumni team stacked with Bulldog alumni, many of who are still playing in the minor leagues. Current MLB starter Doug Fister started for the alumni. Joining Fister on the alumni squad were Erik Wetzel, Nick Moresi, Steve Susdorf, Dennis Springer, Tom Mendonca, Kent Sakamoto, Brian Lapin, Gavin Hedstrom, Justin Wilson, Jason Breckley, Clayton Allison, Holden Sprague, Ben Fritz, Kris Tomlinson, Terrance Frazier and making a special appearance behind home plate was current Bulldog coach Matt Curtis.
Benny started the game for the Bulldogs and behind him in the field were Garrett Weber, Isacc Vivas, Muno, Jordan Ribera, Dusty Robinson and Brennan Gowens. Everyone got a chance to play against the past Bulldogs.
The alumni team came out and threatened right out of the gate, but the Bulldogs turned a double play to keep the game tied at zero.
The Bulldogs scored first with an RBI single from Robinson and an RBI triple from Gowens.
In the second inning, the alumni take the lead after scoring three runs. The Bulldogs answered with a solo home run from Vivas to tie the game at three runs apiece.
Junior Bobby Coyle hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to extend the Bulldogs lead, 5-3. In the top of the fifth inning, the alumni answered with an RBI double from Susdorf.
Preseason All-WAC selection Trent Garrison knocked in a run in the sixth inning giving the Dogs the lead 6-4.
In the seventh inning, the alumni came within one run of the Bulldogs after an RBI single from Mendonca. The Bulldogs countered with two more runs giving them the win, 8-5.
At the end of the game the alumni team tried to edge the Bulldogs with 15 players on the field, but their plan did not work as the Bulldogs came away with the win. Before the game the alumni team took batting practice from former Bulldog Mark Gardner.
On Friday night, the Bulldogs celebrated the end of the great 2009 season with the handing out of the WAC Championships rings. It was also a chance to meet the 11 new additions to the 2010 team. Earlier on Friday, the annual golf tournament was held at Table Mountain Rancheria Golf Course.
The Bulldogs open the season Friday, Feb. 19 against Nebraska. First pitch is at 6:05 p.m. at Beiden Field.
"We Are Your Team" - The `Dogs begin the quest for their fifth consecutive WAC title and NCAA Tournament berth Friday, February 19, at 6 p.m. as they welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers to Beiden Field. Season tickets are available and can be purchased through the Bulldog Ticket Office, gobulldogs.com or by calling 278-DOGS.
