Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Louisiana Tech
Dogs Soar Over Rainbows to WAC Finals
5/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 27, 2011
MESA, Ariz. - Tournament domination continued for the Bulldogs and for the sixth year in a row, Fresno State is playing for the WAC Title.
No. 23 Fresno State defeated No. 1 seeded Hawai'i 11-5 on Friday night improving its tournament record to 21-3 over the past six years. The Dogs are 39-14 on the season and advanced to the tournament finals on Saturday, May 28 at 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs recorded 14 hits on the night and have outscored opponents 24-6 in the Tournament this year.
WAC Player of the Year Dusty Robinson gave the Bulldogs an early 3-0 lead with a three-run home run to left field in the first inning. The junior has 17 homers on the season and 48 in his career. He is eight long balls away from the Fresno State record of 56 set by Tom Mendonca. Robinson is the first Bulldog to hit over 15 homers three seasons in a row.
In the second inning, the Bulldog offense continued with senior Danny Muno driving in his 47th RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly to center field increasing the Dogs lead 4-0.
The Bulldog defense fielded a pair in the second inning. Fresno State has turned 59 double plays this season and six against the Rainbows in 2011.
All-WAC selection Josh Poytress made his ninth start of the 2011 season against Hawai'i. The lefty threw four scoreless innings before giving up two runs. He also allowed nine hits in a total of five innings pitched. Poytress earned the win improving to 7-2 on the season.
Designated hitter Kenny Wise launched a homer to right field extending the Dogs lead 6-0. Wise has hit seven home runs this season, which is a new season best for the junior.
In the fourth inning, All-WAC selection Brennan Gowens singled up the middle to bring in another Bulldog run as the lead grew 7-0.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Bows scored two runs cutting the Bulldogs lead to 7-2.
Sophomore Justin Haley allowed three runs in two and two-thirds innings of relief work. He struck out three batters and allowed four hits.
Hawai'i added another run in the sixth inning on an RBI single and the Dogs continued to lead 7-3.
The Bulldogs answered in the seventh inning as Garrett Weber scored on a single from WAC Freshman of the year Aaron Judge and the Dogs led 8-3.
The Bows scored two runs in the eighth inning cutting the Dogs lead 8-5. One run was walked in and the second scored on a sacrifice fly from Kolten Wong.
The Bulldogs answered back scoring three runs in the ninth inning. Judge recorded his fourth hit of the night and second RBI with a double to left center field.
Gowens kept the inning alive with a double bringing in two runs as the Dogs lead grew 11-5.
Charlie Robertson came into close in the ninth inning and earned his 12th save of the season. He is one save away from tying the single-season record for saves.
The Bulldogs defeated Hawai'i 11-5 and head to the WAC Tournament title on Friday, May 28 at 7 p.m. against either Hawai'i or Louisiana Tech.
"We Are You Team!" - Fresno State will battle for the 2011 Western Athletic Conference Tournament title in Mesa, Ariz., this week. You can always stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@FSAthletics).
