Russell's career night highlights 'Dogs rout of SJSU

Thursday, March 24

San Jose, Calif.

6:00 PM

Fresno State

15-7, 5-2

San Jose State

6-14, 2-7

Fresno State

San Jose State

Sophomore southpaw Ricky Tyler Thomas tossed seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts in Thursday's 13-4 win over SJSU.

Russell's career night highlights 'Dogs rout of SJSU

3/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 24, 2016

Box Score

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

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Behind a season-high 18 hits and seven shutout innings on the mound from sophomore southpaw Ricky Tyler Thomas, Fresno State routed San Jose State 13-4 on Thursday night at Municipal Stadium.

Fresno State (15-7, 5-2 MW) won its fourth straight game scoring a season-high 13 runs on 18 hits and got offensive contributions from nine different Bulldogs. Senior outfielder Brody Russell had a career-high five hits, including a double, to go along with a career-best five RBIs and three runs scored.

Jake Stone added a career-high three hits, all doubles, three runs scored and an RBI. Zach Ashford, Austin Guibor and Jesse Medrano added two hits apiece, while Aaron Arruda and Scott Silva each had a double.

San Jose State (6-14, 2-7 MW) had nine hits, four in the ninth inning, while scoring four ninth-inning runs. Michael Breen and Dillan Smith had two hits apiece while Kyle Morrison drove in two RBIs.

The 'Dogs scored in a season-high six innings on Thursday night plating one run in the first, added four runs in the third, three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to take a commanding 10-0 lead after five innings.

The four-run third inning started with a two-run RBI single up the middle from Russell, a RBI sacrifice bunt from Guibor and an RBI double down the right field line by Medrano. The fourth inning scoring came from an RBI bunt single by Russell followed by a RBI single to right center by Guibor and a RBI single through the left side by Medrano.

The 'Dogs added two runs in the fifth on a RBI double down the right field line by Stone followed by a double to center field from Russell.

Medrano notched his third RBI of the night with a sacrifice fly in the eighth and the Bulldogs kept the scoring going in the ninth with two more runs getting a sacrifice fly by Ryan Dobson and a RBI single from Russell.

That was more than enough run support for Thomas who tossed seven shutout innings allowing only five hits, two walks, and struck out seven to pick up his third win of the season. Mark Reece tossed a 1-2-3 eighth and gave way to Kenny Varnell in the ninth.

The Bulldogs and Spartans play game two of the three-game series on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. from Municipal Stadium.

Notes
- The 'Dogs eight doubles tied a single-game school record which has been done three times, most recently on May 11, 1997 vs. Air Force.
- The 18 hits surpassed the 'Dogs previous season high of 12 set on March 5 at San Diego State.
- The Bulldogs 13 runs were a season-high surpassing their previous high of 11 set vs. Oakland (2/23) and Youngstown State (2/27 Game 1).
- The 'Dogs scored in a season-high six innings in Thursday's win.
- Stone set a career-high with three runs scored.
- Thomas has now recorded at least five strikeouts in all six starts this season.
- Medrano's three RBIs set a new career high. He entered the game with only one RBI all season.
- Ashford is now 7-for-9 with six runs scored since moving into the leadoff spot on March 19. He went 2-2 with two runs scored and a walk on Thursday.

Mountain West Thursday Night Scoreboard
New Mexico 5, at San Diego State 3
Nevada 7, at UNLV 5
at UC Davis 6, Air Force 2

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