Fresno State Athletics
Thomas strikes out 11 as 'Dogs defeat YSU 8-3
2/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
By: Travis Blanshan
tblanshan@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
Box Score
FRESNO, Calif. - Behind a second consecutive dominant Friday night pitching performance from sophomore left-hander Ricky Tyler Thomas, Fresno State stayed perfect on the season defeating Youngstown State 8-3 on Friday evening at Pete Beiden Field.
With Fresno State off to its first 5-0 start since 2011, the 'Dogs used a combined two-hitter from Thomas and relief pitcher Mark Reece to shut down the Penguins offense as the pair combined for 15 strikeouts. Both Thomas and Reece recorded single-game strikeout highs as Thomas fanned 11 and Reece sent down four.
The 'Dogs struck for runs in five different innings collecting 10 hits from eight different players as the well-balanced attack made Youngstown State (1-3) use four different pitchers.
Fresno State struck first in the second inning with a RBI double to right center from Joe Prior drove home Kevin Viers from second base to give the 'Dogs a 1-0 lead.
The Penguins responded in the third with three unearned runs to take a 3-1 lead. Thomas issued back-to-back walks to start the inning and a throwing error allowed one run to score. YSU added a second run on a RBI groundout and tacked on its third and final run of the game after an error by the 'Dogs at shortstop brought a run home from third base.
The 'Dogs quickly answered back in the bottom of the inning bringing home two runs to tie knot the game at three apiece. Stone hit a sacrifice fly to center field and Aaron Arruda followed with a double to left center driving home Austin Guibor from third.
After adding two runs in the fifth thanks to a throwing error by Youngstown State allowed Guibor and Brody Russell to score, the 'Dogs added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh to secure the win.
Pinch-hitter Ryan Dobson led off the sixth with a triple to right field and came around to score on a wild pitch despite falling on the basepaths as the junior eventually found his way to home plate. The Bulldogs wrapped up their scoring with two more runs in the seventh as Viers hit a RBI double to center field and was followed by Prior's second RBI hit of the night knocking a single to right center to bring around Viers.
After tossing six innings last Friday against Creighton allowing only three hits, one earned run and eight strikeouts, Thomas picked up where he left off tonight throwing six innings allowing three unearned runs and setting a new career-high with 11 strikeouts. Reece followed with his longest career outing throwing the final three innings allowing only one hit and striking out four.
The Bulldogs and Penguins return to action on Saturday at Pete Beiden Field with a doubleheader set to begin at 2:05 p.m. The 'Dogs will send out junior right-hander Jimmy Lambert in game one and the Penguins will answer with left-hander Joe King. Game two will feature Anthony Arias for the 'Dogs and Collin Floyd for Youngstown State.
Notes
- It was Viers' second multi-hit game this season after also collecting two hits vs. Creighton (2/20/16).
- The Bulldogs are now just one win away from their 2,500th victory as a program. They will become only the 19th program in Division I to reach that milestone.
- The 'Dogs lowered their team ERA to 1.20 as all three Penguin runs Friday night were unearned.
- Scott Silva and RJ Cordeiro both made their Bulldog debuts.
- Youngstown State's three errors were the most for a Bulldog opponent this season.
Mountain West Friday Night Scoreboard
Navy 3, Air Force 1
Bryant 10, at San Diego State 2
Loyola Marymount 13, at San Jose State 4
at UC Irvine 4, Nevada 1
West Virginia 9, at UNLV 6
at New Mexico 17, Wichita State 7
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