Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
UNLV
Pitching Shuts Down Rebels, 'Dogs Get Sweep
3/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
By: Andrew Rich
arich1221@mail.fresnostate.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. -- Taylor Ward again provided the offense and the Fresno State pitching staff was spectacular in a 4-0 win over UNLV (6-5, 0-3) on Sunday afternoon at Beiden Field that clinched a series sweep.
"Getting back to even in league play after a rough weekend last weekend and answering back here is a sign of a veteran team," said head coach Mike Batesole. "Answering back against a good club and now there are the ones that are 0-3, that is beautiful."
With one out and the bases empty in the bottom of the fourth, Ward roped a line drive that just cleared the top of the left field fence for a solo home run that put the Bulldogs ahead 1-0. It was the fifth home run of the year for the junior, who hit one in each of the three games against the Rebels this weekend.
The one run was all Fresno State (6-5, 3-3 MW) starter Garrett Mundell and the rest of the pitching staff would need.
The senior right-hander threw six scoreless innings and allowed just three hits and struck out three to pick up his first win of the season. Mark Reece, Casey Rodriguez and Jake Shull, who combined to throw three shutout innings, supported him in relief. Shull picked his second save in as many days.
"Coach Rousey and Ward were calling a great game," said Mundell. "Rousey was picking their offense apart which was awesome and trusting Ward to do his job. Especially with two strikes was our big key."
In the bottom of the sixth, the Bulldogs added an insurance run on a Joe Prior RBI single that made it 2-0. They would add two more runs in the bottom of the eighth thanks in part to three UNLV errors.
Fresno State returns to Beiden Field on Tuesday night for a midweek game against Sacramento State, the 2014 Western Athletic Conference champion. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
"Be Bold! - The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio.
