Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Hawai'i
Gonzalez Throws No-Hitter
4/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 11, 2010
HONOLULU - Greg Gonzalez made history Saturday night at Les Murakami Stadium. The junior become the seventh pitcher in Fresno State history to throw a no-hitter in the night cap of the double header. The `Dogs won both games by scores of 8-5 and 1-0, respectively.
The Bulldogs are 20-12 on the season and are 3-0 in Western Athletic Conference Play and are the only undefeated team in league play.
The `Dogs have won seven-straight games and six of which they have recorded 10 or more hits. Jordan Ribera's home run count continued to rise after hitting home run no. 13. He has hit a home run in four of his last five games in Honolulu.
Game One
Junior Danny Muno opened the game by reaching base on an error by the Hawai'i third baseman. Muno stole his 33rd career base and is tied for 10th in Fresno State history. Designated hitter singled through the right side driving in Muno and the Bulldogs took the lead, 1-0.
In the second inning, catcher Trent Garrison picked off the runner at first base removing the tying run and giving the Bulldogs an out.
The Rainbows hit a two-run home run to take their first lead of the series, 2-1.
With two outs in the third inning, Muno hit a single to right field to keep the offense swinging. Center fielder Brennan Gowens singled through the left side moving Muno to second base. Coyle doubled down the right field line bringing in two runs and the Bulldogs take back the lead, 3-2.
Coyle drove in the first three runs scored by the Bulldogs in the first game of the doubleheader.
First baseman Jordan Ribera hit a home run not only over the right field fence, but also past the road just beyond the fence increasing the Bulldogs lead, 5-2. The junior has 13 home runs this season and has three home runs in his last four games at Les Murakami stadium dating back to the 2009 WAC Tournament.
Hawai'i added a run in the bottom of the third inning trailing the Bulldogs, 5-3.
Garrison led off the top of the fourth inning with a double to center field. Weber followed with a single to right field moving Garrison to third base and extending his hitting streak to eight games. Senior Steve Detwiler reached on a fielder's choice and Garrison scored increasing the `Dogs lead, 6-3.
In the fifth inning, Gowens singled to right field and stole second base. Robinson hit a stand up double down the left field line driving in Gowens extending the `Dogs lead, 7-3.
The Rainbows scored one run in the fifth inning cutting the Bulldogs lead, 7-4.
Derek Benny came out of the pen in relief for the Bulldogs. The sophomore sat down the batters in order in the seventh inning and sat down seven consecutive batters starting in the sixth inning and ending in the eighth inning. Benny struck out three batters in five innings en route to his first win of the season.
Robinson tripled to right field to lead off the eighth inning. He leads the team in triples this season with three. Weber bunted to the pitcher allowing Robinson to score giving the Bulldogs their biggest lead of the game, 8-4.
Hawai'i drove in a run in the bottom of the eighth inning cutting the `Dogs lead, 8-5.
Tom Harlan came into close in the ninth inning striking out on batter and earning his first save. The Bulldogs turned a double play to end the game winning, 8-5.
Game Two
In his first at bat of the night cap, Weber extended his hitting streak to nine games with a double to left center field. The junior stole third base and scored on a sacrifice fly from Detwiler putting the `Dogs on the board first, 1-0.
Weber's run in the second inning was the only run of the game as a pitcher's duel took over for the next five innings. Gonzalez dominated on the mound and came out on top with his fourth win of the season.
Gonzalez made his first start of the season and threw a complete game shutout. He silenced the Hawai'i batters throwing his first career no-hitter. The last no-hitter by a Bulldog pitcher was in 1976 by Rob Cruess against Sacramento State.
Gonzalez tied his career-high of seven strikeouts and threw seven innings, his longest outing of the season. Two walks stood between Gonzalez and a perfect game.
"He had fantastic stuff tonight," said head coach MikeBatesole. "He had three good pitches. His change-up was really good and his curve ball was good too. When those two pitches are good, they are really good. Austin Wynns did a great job catching him and keeping the batters on their toes. Gonzalez came in today and was lights out."
Gonzalez sat down 17 batters in order and faced 22 batters, just over the minimum of 27.
"In the back of my mind I knew it was happening," said Gonzalez. "I have come close to throw no-hitters before, but this is the first. It's a great feeling and accomplishment, but it is one win and tomorrow we are looking to finish the weekend with another win and the sweep."
"In the sixth inning, I had a feeling that he could and would throw the no-hitter," said catcher Austin Wynns "I was confident that Greg could do it, but I had butterflies in my stomach for him."
"We Are Your Team" - The `Dogs will finish up their series in Hawaii and head home to Beiden field on Tuesday, April 13 to challenge the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners. The Bulldogs will continue their home stand on Friday the 16th when they bring the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs to town. Tickets are available now at the Bulldog Ticket Office or by calling 278-DOGS.
