Long ball powers Diamond 'Dogs past Hornets 7-5

Wednesday, April 6

Fresno, Calif.

6:05 PM

Fresno State

21-9

Sacramento State

17-11

Sacramento State

Fresno State

Long ball powers Diamond 'Dogs past Hornets 7-5

4/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

April 6, 2016

Box Score

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

FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State used three solo home runs and two key strikeouts in the sixth inning to hold off a late charge from Sacramento State on Wednesday night defeating the Hornets 7-5 at Pete Beiden Field.

Fresno State (21-9) had its 13th straight game with seven or more hits as a team collecting nine on the night. Three Bulldogs had a pair of hits with junior outfielder Austin Guibor leading the way with two solo home runs for his first multi-home run game as a Bulldog. Senior first baseman Kevin Viers had his second consecutive multi-hit game with a solo home run and a single. Sophomore shortstop Korby Batesole added a pair of singles, drove in two runs and scored a run.

Sacramento State (17-11) collected 11 hits, including five for extra-bases. Sophomore outfielder Andrew McWilliam went 4-for-5 with a double, home run, three RBI and a run scored. Leadoff hitter Chris Lewis added a single, double and an RBI.

Making his first collegiate start as a Bulldog, freshman left hander Kenny Varnell allowed one run in the top of the first inning, but settled down after that tossing four shutout innings.

The Bulldogs helped give Varnell a 4-1 cushion with a pair of runs in the second inning on a two-out RBI single to right field by Batesole to drive home Viers and Jesse Medrano. The 'Dogs added the other pair of runs in the fifth as both Batesole and Scott Silva jumped on base with singles and came around to score on a throwing error by the Hornets shortstop.

Limiting Sacramento State to five hits through his first five innings, Varnell came back on the bump for the sixth running into trouble allowing a leadoff home run to left field by McWilliam and a single by Vinny Esposito to knock him out of the game.

Sophomore right-hander Rickey Ramirez came into the game and allowed a double to score a run and make the score 4-3. With the bases juiced and only one out, Ramirez came through in the clutch with back-to-back strikeouts to escape the jam.

The Bulldogs tacked on two runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend its lead to 6-3 getting the first home run by Guibor.

"I tried to have a shorter swing and hit the ball. The momentum was sort of falling at that point and I think we needed a boost to get back in the game," said Guibor after his first home run when the Hornets had the cut the 'Dogs lead to one.

A solo home run by Viers gave the home team a three-run cushion. Sacramento State earned one run back on a two-out RBI double to left center by Lewis in the eighth, but the 'Dogs got that run right back in the bottom of the inning with the second long ball by Guibor.

Dylan Lee came on in the ninth to pick up his third save of the season allowing two hits, one run, but notched two strikeouts. Varnell picked up his first career win tossing 5.1 innings allowing six hits, three earned runs, two walks and struck out two.

Fresno State returns to action this weekend traveling to New Mexico (20-9, 9-3 MW) for a pivotal Mountain West series with the Lobos starting Friday at 5 p.m. PT. The two teams are currently tied atop the MW standings and it is the lone series of the year between the two schools. Saturday's game is set for 1 p.m. PT and Sunday's finale will be at 11 a.m. PT.

Notes
- The three home runs tied a single game season high. The 'Dogs also had three long balls last Friday (April 1) in a 14-1 win over Air Force.
- The 'Dogs have now had a sacrifice bunt in 12 straight games and have a nation-leading 41 on the season.
- It was Guibor's first career multi-home run game. He now has three on the season and 10 in his career.
- It was Viers' second home run this season and 15th in his career.
- Lee has notched multiple strikeouts in eight of his 14 appearances.

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