Bulldogs open season with 2-1 win over Creighton

Friday, February 19

Fresno, Calif.

6:05 PM

Fresno State

1-0

Creighton

0-1

Creighton

Fresno State

Bulldogs open season with 2-1 win over Creighton

2/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

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Feb. 19, 2016

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By: Travis Blanshan
tblanshan@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com

<br> <br> FRESNO, Calif. - Behind six solid innings on the mound from sophomore left-handed pitcher Ricky Tyler Thomas and a two-run fourth inning, Fresno State beat Creighton 2-1 on Friday evening to open up the 2016 season.

With an announced attendance of 1,663 on-hand to see this year's version of the Diamond 'Dogs, Thomas certainly gave them a show tossing six innings, allowing only three hits and threw a career-best eight strikeouts. Picking up five strikeouts in the first three innings, it was the most strikeouts for a Bulldog pitcher on opening night since Tyler Linehan threw 13 in a 3-0 win over Butler to start the 2012 season.

"That is what you call a real Friday night starter," head coach Mike Batesole said speaking of Thomas. "When you do not have your best stuff and still win a 2-1 game, that is when you know you have your Friday night starter."

After a quiet first three innings saw the two sides combine for only three hits, the game heated up in the fourth as the Bluejays put runners on first and third with no outs. Thomas responded sending Harrison Crawford down on strikes. He then forced designated hitter Matt Gandy to pop up to the 'Dogs Jeremiah Burks at shortstop as the freshman tossed it to Kevin Viers at first base to complete the double play and get the 'Dogs out of the jam.

The Bulldogs came through with a pair of key runs in the bottom half of the inning as sophomore third baseman McCarthy Tatum led off with a single to left field. Freshman left fielder Zach Ashford followed with a single through the right side for his first collegiate hit moving Tatum to third and forcing Creighton to go to the bullpen.

With right-hander Connor Miller on the mound in relief of starter Matt Warren, Ashford stole second to put a pair of runners in scoring position. Junior catcher Joe Prior followed with a sacrifice bunt to first base plating Tatum and pushing Ashford to third. Sophomore second baseman Korby Batesole kept the action going with a single to left field bringing home Ashford to give the 'Dogs a 2-0 lead.

Creighton responded with a solo home run in the top of the fifth, but Thomas again thwarted any Bluejay rally getting a pair of fly outs and a strikeout to get out of the inning. Working tossing 97 pitches, Thomas gave way to Dylan Lee in the seventh as the senior left-hander worked a pair of innings. The Bluejays got a runner to third with two outs in the eighth, but Lee forced Ryan Fitzgerald to fly out to center field to keep the potential tying-run off the board.

Senior Tim Borst came on in the ninth, and after issuing a one-out walk, forced a fly out and a notched a strikeout to pick up his sixth career save. Tatum had a career-high three hits as the Clovis native went 3-for-4 and scored a run.

The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday afternoon for game two of the three-game series with Creighton. First pitch is slated for 2:05 p.m. from Pete Beiden Field.

Mountain West Friday Night Scoreboard
Northwestern 4, Nevada 2 (Mesa, Ariz.)
Northwestern 5, Nevada 1 (Mesa, Ariz.)
UNLV 4, at #23 Texas 3 (12 innings)
Oregon 8, at San Diego State 2
Air Force 13, Buffalo 0 (Davidson, N.C.)
UC Irvine 3, at San Jose State 2

"Be Bold" - Season tickets for the 2016 Fresno State baseball season can be purchased by calling the Bulldog Ticket Office at 559-278-DOGS. Single game tickets and mini plans (6, 8, and 10-game flex plans) are also on-sale by going to gobulldogs.com or calling 559-278-DOGS.