Thomas powers 'Dogs past Nevada 5-4

Friday, April 15

Fresno, Calif.

6:05 PM

Fresno State

22-13, 0

Nevada

15-16, 0

Nevada

Fresno State

Sophomore first baseman Aaron Arruda hit his team-leading eighth home run of the season.

Thomas powers 'Dogs past Nevada 5-4

4/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

April 15, 2016

Box Score

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

FRESNO, Calif. - Thanks to an eight-inning, nine-strikeout performance from sophomore southpaw Ricky Tyler Thomas and three home runs from the offense, Fresno State ended its four-game losing skid with a 5-4 victory over Nevada on Friday evening at Pete Beiden Field.

In a matchup of two of the top arms in the Mountain West, Fresno State (22-13, 10-6 MW) edged Nevada (15-16, 6-5) nine to eight in the hit department as three 'Dogs ended with two hits apiece.

Senior outfielder Brody Russell went 2-4 with a double and home run while sophomore first baseman Aaron Arruda hit his team-leading eighth home run of the season and drove in two RBIs. Junior designated hitter Scott Silva had a pair of singles and scored a run and junior outfielder Austin Guibor smacked his fourth home run of the season.

The Wold Pack were led by sophomore designated hitter Cole Krzmarzick who went 3-4 with a double and two RBIs. Sophomore left fielder Grant Fennell added a double and run scored.

The 'Dogs jumped on the board from the get-go with a lead-off home run down the right field line by Guibor in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead. It was the first lead-off home run for the 'Dogs since Guibor also did it on February 27, 2015 in a 10-5 win over UNLV.

Nevada quickly responded with a pair of runs in the second to take re-take a 2-1 lead getting a run on a sacrifice fly by catcher Justin Hazard followed by a bunt single down the third baseline by center fielder Keaton Smith to score the second run.

The Wolf Pack increased its lead to 3-1 in the third with a two-out double to right center from Krzmarzick to bring in second baseman Miles Mastrobuoni.

The Bulldogs quickly responded again with two runs in the bottom of the frame to knot the game at 3-3 getting back-to-back solo home runs from Russell and Arruda.

The 'Dogs jumped back on the scoreboard in the fifth with a one-out single through the left side from Arruda brought home Silva from third base. Silva reached base after his flyout to right field was misplayed by Fennell in left field allowing him to move to second on the play.

Fresno State added the eventual game-winning run in the sixth as junior second baseman Jesse Medrano led off with a double down the left field line and came around to score on a RBI groundout by sophomore catcher Nick Warren.

Nevada added a run in the eighth on a two-out single to center field by Krzmarzick, but Thomas shut down any potential rally from the Wolf Pack with a groundout to Arruda at first.

Senior relief pitcher Dylan Lee came on in the ninth to work a nine-pitch 1-2-3 frame and pick up his fourth save of the season.

Thomas picked up his fifth win of the season going eight innings allowing eight hits, four earned runs, issued no walks and struck out nine. It was Thomas' third outing of the season of eight innings and his fourth with no walks. It was also his third time this season with at least nine strikeouts.

Nevada starter Christian Stolo countered tossing a complete game throwing eight innings allowing nine hits, five earned runs, two walks with six strikeouts.

Fresno State and Nevada play game two of the weekend series on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. from Pete Beiden Field. Fans are encouraged to wear retro Fresno State apparel for free admission to the game. The 'Dogs will send out Jimmy Lambert (6-0, 2.22) against the Wolf Pack's Trevor Charpie (3-1, 3.10).

Notes
- Arruda now has eight home runs on the season for the most in a single season since former 'Dog Jordan Luplow (2012-14) cranked nine in 2014 on his way to Mountain West Player of the Year honors.
- Thomas now has a MW-leading 67 strikeouts on the season to only 10 walks for a 6.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio which entering the weekend ranks in the top 30 in the country.
- It was the 'Dogs third game of the season with three home runs as a team joining April 6 against Sacramento State and April 1 against Air Force.
- It was Lee's fifth career save.
- It was Guibor's 11th career home run, while it was Russell's 12th.
- It was Russell's team-leading 14th multi-hit game of the season.

Mountain West Friday Night Scoreboard
at UNLV 1, Air Force 0
at San Jose State 9, New Mexico 8
#14 Texas Tech 3, San Diego State 1

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