Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Off to a 2-0 Start
2/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team is off to a perfect 2-0 start. The Bulldogs beat Nebraska 8-2 Saturday afternoon at Pete Beiden Field.
"We talked about it even before the season started, these guys like each other and they play well together," said Batesole. "The infield defense has built confidence in the pitchers, whether we are 2-0 or not that was already in place. I think that is the biggest reason we are where we are."
The `Dogs offense was sparked by back-to-back home runs from junior Jordan Ribera. He tied the record for consecutive home runs hit by a Bulldog. The last time three in a row were hit was by Brian Lapin in 2007 against Nevada. Ribera leads the team with a .571 batting average and three home runs.
"He's seeing the ball well and it's good for Jordan to get off to a good start," said Batesole.
Preseason All-WAC selection Trent Garrison added a home run making the total of home runs hit by Bulldogs this season to five.
Also, hitting the ball well is junior Bobby Coyle, who went 3-for-4 against the Huskers pitching staff this afternoon. He is hitting .556 on the season.
As a team Fresno State is hitting .338 on the season with five home runs, five doubles and a triple.
The Bulldogs pitching staff combined for six strike outs in the second game of the four game series against the Huskers.
Senior Matt Morse opened the game on the mound and sat down the first three batters he faced with the help of a double play by Dogs infielders.
Nebraska scored first in the second inning taking the lead, 1-0.
Right fielder Brennan Gowens led off the bottom of the second inning with a double to left center field. Ribera hit a two-run home run over the right field wall as the `Dogs take the lead, 2-1.
Designated hitter Kaohu Gaspar continued the second inning rally with a single. Garrison hit a home run over the right field wall extending the Bulldogs lead, 4-1.
In the top of the third inning, the Huskers had one runner cross home plate narrowing the Bulldogs lead, 4-2.
In the bottom of the third inning, Ribera hit another home run to extend the `Dogs, 5-2. Going back to the 2009 season, Ribera has hit five home runs in his last five games.
Morse struck out four Nebraska batters in five innings pitched. He allowed only one earned run and has an ERA of 1.80 in his first win of the 2010 season.
Sophomore Charlie Robertson came in relief in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, he struck out a Husker and then got another Husker to hit into a double play to get out of the jam.
Robertson sat the Nebraska batters down in order in the top of the seventh inning after a ground out, fly out and his second strikeout of the day.
In the top of the eighth inning, the Bulldogs got out of another bases loaded jam preserving their lead, 5-2.
Fresno State rallied in the eighth inning adding three runs on the board. Sophomore Dusty Robinson led the rally with triple off the center field wall. Ribera reached first base after getting intentionally walked. Pinch hitter Kenny Wise hit an RBI single bringing home Robinson and advancing Ribera. Next Garrison hit an RBI single as Ribera corssed home plate. Short stop Isacc Vivas hit a sacrifice fly allowing Wise to score giving the Dogs the lead, 8-2.
Right-hander Gene Escat came into close for the Bulldogs in the ninth inning and the Bulldogs earn their second win of the season.
" We Are Your Team!" The `Dogs continue the series against the Nebraska Cornhuskers Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1:05 p.m. Season tickets are available and can be purchased through the Bulldog Ticket Office, gobulldogs.com or by calling 278-DOGS.
