Fresno State Athletics
Tatum paves way to Batesole's 700th career win
2/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
By: Travis Blanshan
tblanshan@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
Box Score
FRESNO, Calif. - Head coach Mike Batesole won his 700th career game on Saturday as Fresno State held on for a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Creighton at Pete Beiden Field.
"700 is a big number," said Batesole on becoming the 38th-active head coach in the NCAA to reach that milestone. "It means the Good Lord has brought me good coaches who have brought me good players and add to the mix great alumni and the Dugout Club who has our back and an administration that is doing everything they can to help us win; that is a pretty good recipe for success right there."
Starting the season 2-0 for the third consecutive year and fifth time in the last seven years, the 'Dogs used a pair of RBI's from sophomore McCarthy Tatum, the first two of his career, to push across a pair of runs and hold off a late charge from the Bluejays.
With starting pitcher Jimmy Lambert working around a one-out triple by Creighton in the top of the first, the 'Dogs got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second inning. Aaron Arruda led off with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a groundout to first by Kevin Viers. Arruda came around to score on a single to right field by Tatum for his first career RBI.
The Bulldogs made it 2-0 in the fourth with Viers getting the action started hitting a two-out single to left field for the senior's first hit of the season. Advancing to second a balk by Creighton's starting pitcher Rollie Lacy, Viers came around to score on the next at-bat as Tatum followed with his first career double lacing the ball to left center.
With Creighton stranding a pair of runners in the fifth and one more in the sixth, Lambert took a shutout into the seventh. He gave up two singles in the first three batters of the inning nd was lifted after holding the Bluejays to seven hits in 6.1 innings of work. With senior reliever Brennon Williams taking over for Lambert on the mound, Creighton's leadoff hitter Daniel Woodrow hit into a fielder's choice bringing home the Bluejays lone run of the afternoon.
The 'Dogs took a 2-1 lead into the ninth inning as senior Tim Borst looked to close out his second consecutive game on the mound. After getting the first two Bluejays to groundout and pop up, a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases for Creighton's Ryan Fitzgerald. Borst was able to keep the senior second baseman hitless in the game striking him out to seal the win.
The Bulldogs return to action on Sunday at Pete Beiden Field as the 'Dogs and Bluejays wrap up their three-game series at 1:05 p.m. Sophomore Anthony Arias gets the start for the Bulldogs and Keith Rogalla gets the start for Creighton. It is Salute to Sunday as we honor all active military and veterans and kids can run the bases after the game.
Around the Mountain West on Saturday
#14 Oregon 10, at San Diego State 5
at San Jose State 9, UC Irvine 3 (Game 1)
at #23 Texas 11, UNLV 2
Air Force 8, Marist 4 (Davidson, N.C.)
"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.
