Diamond 'Dogs fall 7-3 to Pacific

Tuesday, April 12

Fresno, Calif.

6:05 PM

Fresno State

21-13

Pacific

12-18

Pacific Tigers

Fresno State

Diamond 'Dogs fall 7-3 to Pacific

4/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

April 12, 2016

Box Score

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

FRESNO, Calif. - Despite outhitting Pacific 10-7 and having the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, Fresno State suffered its fourth straight loss on Tuesday falling to Pacific 7-3.

"We had guys in scoring position all night and Pacific's pitchers did a great job and beat our hitters in the clutch," said head coach Mike Batesole after the defeat. "We had guys on base all day and had 10 hits, but when it came down to it, their pitchers beat our hitters."

Fresno State (21-13) continued to swing a hot bat slugging out 10 hits on the night with junior right fielder Austin Guibor and junior third baseman Scott Silva notching multi-hit games with two hits each. With all 10 hits going for singles, it snapped a 16-game streak of notching at least one extra-base knock.

Pacific (12-18) was held to seven hits, with five going for extra bases as the Tigers slugged out three home runs to score four of their seven runs. Senior third baseman JJ Wagner went 2-3 with a solo home run.

The 'Dogs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first getting the offense started early off Pacific starting pitcher Taylor Johnson.

Hitting in the two-hole for the first time this season, Guibor singled to right field for the 'Dogs first hit of the game. Senior center fielder Brody Russell followed with a single through the left side to put a pair on base for junior left fielder Jake Stone, who singled to right field to drive home Guibor and move Russell to third base.

With the 'Dogs up 1-0, a double steal of Stone to second and Russell to home plated the Bulldogs second run. Silva followed with a RBI single to shortstop to drive home Stone and give starting pitcher Rickey Ramirez a three-run cushion.

Making his first career start on the mound as a Bulldog, Ramirez allowed only his second home run of the season in the second inning with a one-out solo shot to left-center by Wagner to cut the 'Dogs lead to 3-1.

After a flawless third inning, Ramirez ran into trouble in the fourth issuing the second of his three walks of the game. Right fielder Gio Brusa made Ramirez pay for his free pass with a two-run home run to left-center to tie the game at 3-3. First baseman Nate Verlin drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a passed ball before coming home to score on a double down the left field line by Joey Mejia to put the Tigers up 4-3.

A leadoff home run off reliever Brennon Williams to start the seventh and two more runs in the ninth extended Pacific's lead to 7-3 before the 'Dogs made a late game rally in the bottom of the ninth.

Sophomore catcher Nick Warren got the Bulldogs rally going with one-out single up the middle and after a pair of walks to sophomore shortstop Korby Batesole and Guibor loaded the bases for the Russell who looked to crank the 'Dogs third grand slam of the season to tie the game. With the Tigers making a pitching change to right-hander Vince Arobio, the junior was able to send Russell down on strikes to end the game.

The Bulldogs return to action at Pete Beiden Field this weekend hosting Nevada (15-15, 6-4 MW) for the two teams lone MW series of the season Friday through Sunday.

Notes
- It was the first game since March 15 against Oklahoma that the Bulldogs did not have at least one extra-base hit.
- Prior to last Saturday's game at New Mexico, the 'Dogs had allowed 11 home runs in the first 31 games. Over the last three games, opponents have hit nine home runs.
- It was only the 'Dogs fourth loss of the year when they outhit their opponent.
- It was only the Bulldogs third loss at home this season and its largest defeat after losing the first two by one and two runs, respectively.
- The 'Dogs have double digit hits as a team in 11 of their last 16 games.
- Ramirez had appeared in 29 career games as a Bulldog, all in relief, before making his starting debut tonight.
- Dylan Lee has notched at least one strikeout in 14 of his 16 appearances this season.

MountainWest Tuesday Scoreboard
at Iowa 9, Air Force 7
at Santa Clara 13, New Mexico 7
Sacramento State 7, at Nevada 2
San Diego State 7, at San Diego 3
at Stanford 10, San Jose State 0

"Be Bold!" - The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio. Stay connected with the Bulldogs on Facebook (Fresno State Athletics), Instagram (FresnoStateAthletics), Twitter (@FresnoStateBSB) and Snapchat (FSAthletics).