Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Climbing Polls
2/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 28, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - Head baseball coach Mike Batesole wanted his Bulldogs to start the season fast and strong. Fresno State has done just that winning its first six games and is undefeated heading into the third week of the season. The Bulldogs winning ways aren't going unnoticed.
Batesole's team began the 2011 season ranked in two polls and receiving votes in a third. The Bulldogs have quickly impressed voters with their 6-0 start, the best of any Fresno State teams since 1995.
The Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 21 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and broke into Baseball America poll at No. 24. Fresno State is also receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association poll.
The Dogs success is sparked by the veteran pitching staff. The pitchers have a team ERA of 1.83 after six games and have struck out 50 batters. Senior Greg Gonzalez leads the team with 14 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched.
Junior Charlie Robertson has recorded a save in all three of his appearance this season. His three saves is a team and league best. Robertson, along with, Justin Haley, Taylor Garrison and Tyler Linehan have not allowed an earned run to cross home plate.
The starting pitchers, Gonzalez, Derek Benny and Tom Harlan have struck out 28 batters and allowed only six earned runs in 36.2 innings of work.
Offensively, the Bulldogs are hitting .277 with five doubles, two triples and five home runs. Junior Dusty Robinson leads the team in home runs with two and is hitting .364. Senior Danny Muno is hitting .316 with a team-high eight RBIs. The third baseman tied the career run record over the weekend and will break it this week.
Fresno State has fielded seven double plays in six games and leads the WAC in double plays turned.
The Bulldogs host Cal Poly on Tuesday, March 1 for the first midweek game of the season.
"We Are Your Team!" Fresno State finishes the eight-game homestand with a midweek game against Cal Poly on Tuesday, March 1 at 6:05 p.m. The Bulldogs travel to UC Davis next weekend for a three game series against the Aggies.
