Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada
'Dogs Downed in Reno, 12-7
2/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
By: Matt Burkholder
mburkholder@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
RENO, Nev. - The Fresno State baseball team fell 12-7 to Mountain West conference foe Nevada on Saturday afternoon at Peccole Park. The loss drops the 'Dogs record to 0-2 in conference action and 3-3 overall.
Nevada (6-0, 2-0 MW) used a combination of its own power in the early innings, and Bulldog pitching miscues in the latter, to capitalize on its second straight win against Fresno State.
In the second and third inning, Nevada registered a home run in each frame against Bulldog starter Dylan Lee. The southpaw did not allow a hit in the first, but surrendered a leadoff single in the second, that was followed by a Bryce Greager home run. In the third, Kyle Hunt led off the inning with a solo homer for the Pack in route to a four-run frame and 6-2 advantage on the 'Dogs.
In the sixth, Nevada scored five runs on two hits in an inning plagued with untimely walks - five. The Pack loaded the bases against Ricky Thomas with two base hits and a base on balls to begin an inning Nevada sent 10 batters to the plate. With Austin Byler at bat, Thomas walked-in the first run of the inning. Brennon Williams was called upon in relief, inheriting the bases loaded jam with no outs. Williams walked the first two batters he faced, plating a string of three-straight runs issued by virtue of walks. The fourth Nevada run of the inning was also a bases loaded walk, after Williams struck out Greager for the first out of the inning. The fifth run was scored on a sacrifice fly before the inning was closed on a groundout to the pitcher.
Fresno State trailed 12-4 after six innings.
Without fail, the Bulldogs battled back as they have all season, forcing Nevada to bring in its closer, Adam Whitt, for a save situation in the ninth once the 'Dogs loaded the bases and had the tying run on deck.
Taylor Ward connected for a two-run home run in the eighth inning, his second of the season. Then a ninth inning rally would ensue. Fresno State produced four base hits in the final frame, starting with a leadoff double from Manny Argomaniz. Two outs were punched next, but three straight base hits would follow - including a Taylor Tempel RBI single. Nevada went to the bullpen to square Whitt against the MW Player of the Week, Brody Russell, who was retired via strikeout, to close the three hour, 44 minute game.
The Bulldogs outhit the Pack for a second game in a row, 14-to-9. Five different Fresno State hitters posted two hits, while Ward led the team with a career-high four RBIs. The preseason All-American is hitting .391 with 10 RBI, six games into the season.
The series finale between Nevada and Fresno State is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.
"Be Bold!" - The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio.
