Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Hawai'i
Baseball Begins WAC Play With Road Loss
4/6/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 6, 2012
HONOLULU - The Fresno State baseball team began Western Athletic Conference play with an 8-2 loss Thursday night against Hawai'i at Les Murakami Stadium in Honolulu.
The Bulldogs (14-15, 0-1) started the game with a quick run, and looked to have the bats going early, but the Rainbows (18-12, 0-1) opened the game up with a five-run seventh inning, leading to the loss.
"We have to follow the game plan and can't make mistakes like we did tonight," starting pitcher Tyler Linehan said. "We have to bounce back tomorrow and get on track."
Linehan pitched strong early on, until the seventh inning. The sophomore pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs.
Fresno State began the game putting one run on the board in the first inning. Pat Hutcheson led off the game with a walk, stole second, stole third and then Aaron Judge drove in Hutcheson with a double to left center.
The Rainbows answered with two runs in the bottom of the second inning, sending eight batters to the plate, before Linehan worked his way out of the jam.
In the third inning, Hutcheson once again walked to lead off the inning and stole second. Trent Garrison then drove in Hutcheson with a sacrifice fly to tie the game 2-2.
After the 'Dogs tied the game, the Rainbows answered with six unanswered runs, including one run in the fifth and five runs in the seventh inning off of Linehan.
Relievers Cody Kendall and Gene Escat game in and set the final five batters down in order, including three strikeouts.
Offensively, Austin Wynns went 2-for-4 at the plate, while Hutcheson scored two runs and had three stolen bases.
The WAC series continues Friday night with game two of the series beginning at 6:35 p.m. HT (9:35 p.m. PT).
"We Are Your Team!" - Check out the action on game day from AM 940 KYNO, the flagship station for Bulldog baseball. Follow us on Facebook (fresnostateathletics) and Twitter (@FSAthletics).
