Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Sacramento State
`Dogs Win WAC Regular Season Title
5/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 22, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State baseball clinched their fourth WAC regular season title in the last five years after sweeping a doubleheader against Sacramento State. The Bulldogs won 7-6 and 10-1. The `Dogs improve to 34-23 overall and 15-8 in the WAC.
"We are pleased with today," said head coach Mike Batesole. "Winning the WAC is what we want to do. More importantly, I think that wins like this will help us for postseason. We want to go into the WAC tournament knowing we don't have to win it to get an at large berth. I don't know if we are there now, but a win tomorrow and a couple in the WAC tournament would help."
The Bulldogs are the No. 1 seed heading into next week's WAC Tournament and play their first game on Thursday after a first round bye. The `Dogs have won the last four conference tournaments and have a tournament record of 16-1.
Two of the Bulldog seniors, Sean Bonesteele and Steve Detwiler, have won a conference championship each year they were in the program. The two also have a national title to go along with their conference crowns.
"We are proud of our seniors, especially the two who've been here four years Detwiler and Bonesteele," said Batesole. "They are doing everything right. They work hard in the community and they've won the four straight championships and are within a semester of getting their degrees and that's what it's all about. Five WAC titles in a row is pretty good. We are pleased with that."
After losing the first game Friday night the Bulldogs needed two win two of the final three games to clinch the regular season title.
"We put ourselves in a hole after last night but we came out today and do what we needed to do," said first baseman Jordan Ribera. "It was a pretty happy clubhouse. They guys were pretty excited. We want to send the seniors off in a good way tomorrow and keep the momentum going for Arizona and the WAC tournament next week."
Game One: Fresno State 7, Sacramento State 6
The Hornets scored first in the top of the first inning taking the lead, 1-0.
The Bulldogs answered with six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Danny Muno led off with a double to center field and Bobby Coyle drove in the first run with an RBI single through the right side. Garrett Weber hit an RBI single to the shortstop giving the `Dogs the lead, 2-1.
Charlie Robertson earned his 11th start in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. The sophomore struck out two batters in four innings.
With the bases loaded, designated hitter Kenny Wise launched one over the right field wall for his first career grand slam giving the Bulldogs the lead 6-1.
Sacramento State followed with a grand slam in the third inning trailing, 6-5.
The Bulldogs turned a double play to retire the fourth inning leaving a Hornet stranded in scoring position.
Matt Morse took over on the mound in the fifth inning and struck out two batters to retire the side in order. The senior struck out four batters in a four and thirds inning outing. He threw three scoreless innings.
The Hornets tied the game 6-6 in the seventh inning with an RBI single.
The `Dogs turned their second double play of the game to end the top of the eighth inning.
Senior Sean Bonesteele came into close in the ninth inning and recorded the final two outs.
Fresno State loaded the bases putting the winning run at third base. Weber drove in the winning run with a single down the right field line in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Bulldogs 7-6 win puts them within one game of clinching the 2010 WAC regular season title.
Game Two: Fresno State 10, Sacramento State 1
The Hornets hit a lead off home run taking a 1-0 lead before the `Dogs retire the next three batters in order.
The Bulldogs followed suite as lead off hitter Muno hit a solo shot over the right center field tying the game 1-1.
Coyle hit a double to left field advancing the Robinson to third base and an error by the left fielder giving the `Dogs the lead, 2-1.
Fresno State continued the first inning rally by scoring three more runs increasing their lead 5-1. Weber drove in the third run of the inning with a single to right field. The junior recorded four RBIs in the doubleheader.
Greg Gonzalez earned his seventh win of the season on the mound. The junior struck out four in five innings and allowed only three hits. After allowing a home run in the first inning, Gonzalez sat down nine batters in order.
In the second inning, Ribera hit his 26th home run of the season and extended the Bulldogs lead, 7-1. Ribera's home run ties for first in the nation in home runs.
Garrison drove in a run in the second inning with a single through the right side increasing the Bulldogs lead 8-1.
In the fourth inning, the Bulldogs hit back-to-back RBI singles scoring two runs and giving the `Dogs the advantage 10-1.
Taylor Garrison came into close in the sixth inning and threw two scoreless innings. The sophomore struck out two batters.
With the 10-1 win over Sacramento State, the Bulldogs are 15-8 in WAC and 34-23.
The 'Dogs close out the regular season with senior day tomorrow at Beiden Field.
"We Are Your Team" The Bulldogs conclude the series against Sacramento State Sunday, May 23 starting at 1:05 p.m. Next week the `Dogs head to Mesa, Ariz. for the Western Athletic Conference tournament. For tickets, visit the Bulldogs Ticket Office or call 559-278-DOGS.
