Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
No. 21 California
'Dogs Down No. 21 California 7-2
3/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
By: Matt Burkholder
mburkholder@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team used an army of arms and a big seventh inning to defeat No. 21 California 7-2 Wednesday night at Beiden Field. With the win, the Bulldogs defeated a nationally-ranked team for the second time in eight days and extended their winning streak to five.
"Every Division I win is big," said assistant coach Steve Rousey. "I'd say no more than any other, but there is a confidence factor when you beat a very good team like [California]. A very well coached team and very talented team."
To do so, the Bulldogs used seven pitchers, with not one throwing more than two full innings. Cal collected two runs off five hits against the Fresno State staff - a unit that collectively struck out six and walked two.
"For whatever reason we have a competitive group of pitchers that are all trust worthy of being put in the game," said Rousey. "It gives [head] coach [Mike] Batesole a chance to match guys up. Whenever you can do that, that's just sports, if you can go at your opponents' weakness with your strengths, you're going to come out on the good end more times than not."
Fresno State scored the games' first run in the opening frame, with Kenny Corey, Taylor Ward and Manny Argomaniz stringing together three-straight base hits. Argomaniz hit the RBI single to put the 'Dogs on top 1-0.
The Golden Bears scratched across two runs in the second and sixth innings, both solo home runs. The homer in the sixth put Cal in the lead 2-1.
In the top half of the seventh California threatened to score again, with a runner in scoring position and the reigning Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week due, Lucas Erceg. Coach Batesole elected to bring southpaw reliever Casey Rodriguez in from the bullpen to collect the final out of the seventh. He grounded out Erceg to strand the sixth Golden Bear of the night.
"I get pretty locked in," said Rodriguez. "This is a role I've accepted and I thrive off of it. I'm glad the coaches have confidence in me to go out there and do my part to help this team win."
Fresno State broke open the game the following half inning, scoring six runs, all against two outs. Argomaniz hit a two-RBI 3-1 offering down the left field line to give the 'Dogs a 3-2 lead. Jake Stone then solidified the inning following a throwing error and a walk with a three-run bomb to right field - his first career home run.
Mark Reece led Fresno State to the victory down the stretch, closing out the final two innings without allowing a hit. Rodriguez was credited with the win.
"Tonight was the definition of a team effort," Reece added. "We know that every guy in this clubhouse shows up ready to contribute."
From the plate, Fresno State recorded 13 hits. Argomaniz, Ward, Stone and Taylor Tempel each accounted for two hits each to lead the team. Argomaniz and Stone both led Fresno State with three RBIs each.
Fresno State will start its longest road trip of the season, seven games, starting Friday at New Mexico. Following three games in Albuquerque, the Bulldogs play four games at UC Santa Barbara (April 1-4) before returning home to rematch California at Beiden Field on April 7.
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