Bulldogs fall 5-4 in 11 innings at Sacramento State

Wednesday, April 27

Sacramento, Calif. (Raley Field)

6:35 PM

Fresno State

26-16

Sacramento State

25-15

Fresno State

Sacramento State

Bulldogs fall 5-4 in 11 innings at Sacramento State

4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

April 27, 2016

Box Score

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

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Despite taking a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth, Fresno State fell short Wednesday night dropping a hard-fought contest 5-4 to Sacramento State in 11 innings at Raley Field.

After a scoreless first six and a half innings saw Bulldog starting pitcher Edgar Gonzalez and senior relief pitchers Brennon Williams and Tim Borst throw two scoreless innings apiece, Sacramento State (25-15) broke through first on the scoreboard in the seventh inning getting a run off Dylan Lee. The Hornets scored on a fielder's choice after leading off the frame with a pair of singles.

Fresno State (26-16) quickly responded in the top of the eighth putting up four runs to grab ahold of the lead. Sophomore shortstop Korby Batesole drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by catcher Nick Warren. Freshman left fielder Zach Ashford followed with an RBI single to right center to drive home Batesole and knot the game at 1-1.

Junior second baseman Ryan Dobson added his first hit of the night with a bunt single to put a pair of runners on for senior first baseman Kevin Viers. Viers laced a hard-hit ball past the Hornets first baseman for a two-base error allowing Ashford to score from second and move Dobson to third. Junior center fielder Jake Stone followed with an RBI sacrifice bunt to score Dobson and Viers came home to score on a wild pitch to cap the 'Dogs lone scoring inning of the game.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they were unable to hang on to the lead as Sacramento State responded with an unearned run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly after the runner reached base on a Bulldog error.

With Lee exiting the game and sophomore Rickey Ramirez coming into the game looking to pick up his third save of the season, Sacramento State's left fielder Chris Lewis reached on another fielding error by the Bulldogs at third base.

A walk to center fielder Bronson Grubbs put runners at first and second and the pair moved up a base on a groundout to second base. With two outs, and Lewis and Grubbs in scoring position, the Hornets' designated hitter Matt Smith delivered with a two-run RBI single through the left side to knot the game at 4-4 and force extra innings.

Finding themselves in their second straight extra-inning game and sixth of the season, Dobson led off the 10th with an infield single, but the next six 'Dogs were retired in order as Fresno State was unable to mount much of a rally in either of the extra innings.

With Ramirez retiring the Hornets in order in the bottom of the 10th, the 'Dogs turned to Mark Reece in the 11th. The junior right-hander allowed a leadoff single to right field by Lewis who moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Lewis reached third on a fielder's choice by right fielder Andrew McWilliam allowed him to reach base. With McWilliam stealing second, Reece intentionally walked shortstop Trent Goodrich to load the bases for catcher Gunner Pollman.

With two outs and a 2-2 count, Pollman came through for the Hornets with an infield single to Batesole at shortstop to score Lewis and hand the Reece his third loss of the season.

The 'Dogs had nine hits as a team as Dobson continued his tear from the plate with his fifith multi-hit game in his last six contests. Viers had the 'Dogs lone extra-base knock of the game with a first-inning double down the left field line. Six other Bulldogs had one hit each.

Fresno State returns to action on Friday at Air Force (20-17, 9-10 MW) for a 2:00 p.m. PT first pitch from Falcon Field.

Notes
- It was only the second game this season the 'Dogs have failed to score a run before the fifth inning. The only other instance was on April 8 at New Mexico when the 'Dogs lone run came in the ninth inning.
- The Bulldogs fall to 1-5 in extra-inning games and 8-9 in one-run games.
- It was only the second loss of the season for the 'Dogs when leading after eight innings.
- The five errors committed by the Bulldogs were a season-high.
- It was the sixth time this season that the 'Dogs have only scored in one inning.

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