Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
17-8
No. 16 Long Beach State
16-8
'Dogs outslug No. 16 Dirtbags 10-5
3/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
By: Travis Blanshan
tblanshan@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - Thanks to a four-run first inning, the Bulldogs used 11 hits to score 10 runs and outslug visiting 16th-ranked Long Beach State downing the Dirtbags 10-5 Tuesday evening at Pete Beiden Field.
Three Bulldogs had multi-hit games with senior outfielder Brody Russell leading the way with a three-hit performance smacking a double to go along with two RBI and three runs scored helping Fresno State (17-8) defeat its first ranked opponent since March 25, 2015, a 7-2 victory over No. 21 Cal.
Sophomore first baseman Aaron Arruda had a pair of hits, including his team-leading ninth double, scored a career-high three runs and drove in two RBI. Junior third baseman Jesse Medrano went 2-for-2 with a double and matched his career-high with four RBI.
Long Beach State (16-8) had eight hits in the game with sophomore designated hitter Luke Rasmussen going 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored. Brock Lundquist and David Banuelos had a pair of hits as well for the Dirtbags.
On the mound, sophomore Anthony Arias made his fifth start of the season lasting 3.1 innings allowing three hits, three earned runs, issued three walks and struck out four. Five relievers finished the final 5.2 innings, with senior Brennon Williams picking up his first win of the season tossing one shutout inning with two strikeouts.
Improving to 8-2 on the season when scoring in the first inning, Fresno State plated four runs in the opening frame to jump on Long Beach State starter Dave Smith from the get-go.
Freshman designated Zach Ashford singled to open the game and junior outfielder Jake Stone followed with a walk to put a pair on for Russell. The Bakersfield native stayed hot from the dish singling to left field to drive in Ashford. Arruda kept the 'Dogs hot start going with a double down the left field line to bring around Stone and Russell.
Arruda moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Austin Guibor and came home to score on a ground-rule double to center field by Medrano to put the home team up 4-0 after one.
The Dirtbags responded with a home run by Rasmussen to right center to lead off the top of the second, but Arias quickly settled down to retire the next three batters.
The Bulldogs added to their lead in the third with a pair of runs as Russell and Medrano led off with back-to-back singles. After Guibor laid down his second sacrifice bunt of the evening to move the pair over a base, Medrano brought in Russell with a sacrifice fly to center field. Arruda later came home to score on a wild pitch.
Arias ran into trouble in the fourth allowing a one-out double and a pair of walks before being relieved by Mark Reece. The pair of runs eventually scored on a bases-loaded walk and a fielder's choice to cut the Bulldogs lead to 6-3.
The teams traded runs in the fifth and sixth before the Dirtbags cut the deficit to two runs in the seventh on a bases-loaded hit by pitch. Rickey Ramirez was able to limit the damage by stranding the bases loaded getting Joey Sanchez to pop up to the middle of the infield to escape any further harm.
Fresno State was able to add a pair of insurance runs in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Medrano and a wild pitch allowed Guibor to score. The 'Dogs added a run in the eighth on an RBI double down the left field line by Russell to score pinch-runner Ryan Dobson from first. With a five-run cushion to work with, Dylan Lee came on for the ninth to send the Dirtbags down in order and seal the win.
The Bulldogs return to Mountain West play this weekend hosting Air Force (13-5, 4-1 MW) for Salute to Services Weekend. Military and veterans get into all three weekend games for free.
Notes
- The 'Dogs have now had double-digit hit totals in six of the last seven games after tallying 11 on Tuesday.
- Russell has four consecutive multi-hit games.
- Medrano now has 12 RBIs in his last four games after totaling only one in the first 21 games.
- Williams picked up his second career win.
- Borst made his MW-leading 13th appearance working a scoreless eight inning. The senior has allowed only two earned runs in 19.0 innings this season.
Mountain West Tuesday Night Scoreboard
Nevada 3, at UC Davis 1
New Mexico 12, at Sacramento State 3
at Air Force 14, Northern Colorado 7
at #6 Oregon State 9, San Diego State 6
Texas Tech 14, at UNLV 6
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Williams, Brennon (1-0)
L: Smith (2-3)
Batting:
2B: Lundquist 1
HR: Rasmussen 1
RBI: Rasmussen 1 ; Banuelos 3 ; Sanchez 1
SH: Sanchez 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Rasmussen 2 ; Lundquist 1 ; Jackson 1 ; Domingues 1
HBP: Banuelos 1
Batting:
2B: Russell, Brody 1 ; Arruda, Aaron 1 ; Medrano, Jesse 1
RBI: Russell, Brody 2 ; Arruda, Aaron 2 ; Medrano, Jesse 4
SH: Guibor, Austin 2 ; Batesole, Korby 1
SF: Medrano, Jesse 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Ashford, Zach 1 ; Dobson, Ryan 1 ; Stone, Jake 1 ; Russell, Brody 3 ; Arruda, Aaron 3 ; Guibor, Austin 1
CS: Ashford, Zach 1
HBP: Russell, Brody 1
