Burks' home run powers 'Dogs past Mustangs 9-5

Tuesday, May 10

Fresno, Calif.

6:05 PM

Fresno State

33-17

Cal Poly

26-21

Cal Poly

Fresno State

Burks' home run powers 'Dogs past Mustangs 9-5

5/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 10, 2016

Box Score

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

FRESNO, Calif. - Thanks to freshman Jeremiah Burks' first collegiate home run, Fresno State held on to defeat Cal Poly 9-5 on Tuesday at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.

Coming into the game as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning and with a pair of runners on base, the Vacaville, Calif., native lifted a three-run shot to left center to give Fresno State (33-17) a lead it would not relinquish.

"He is one of my favorite student-athletes I have ever coached," said head coach Mike Batesole on Burks after the 'Dogs victory. "He is full speed all the time and works so hard everyday. He puts so much into this getting in extra work in the batting cages and in the weight room that you can't help but root for him. We have been working hard to give him opportunities, and tonight with that three-run home run was outstanding."

In addition to Burks' home run, sophomore first baseman Aaron Arruda matched his career-high with three hits, getting his 13th double, and added two runs and three RBIs. Freshman left fielder Zach Ashford matched his season-high with three singles and scored a run. Six other Bulldogs contributed seven hits as the 'Dogs finished with 14 for its highest team total since April 30 at Air Force.

Cal Poly (26-21) had nine hits with center fielder John Schuknecht getting a pair, including a double and scored a run. Third baseman Michael Sanderson had a pair of singles and scored a run. Right fielder Nick Meyer added a two-run RBI single.

The Mustangs jumped on starting pitcher Anthony Arias, making his first start since April 5, in the first inning scoring a pair on a two-out single through the left side by Meyer.

The 'Dogs had Arias' back though putting four runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame as Ashford led off with a single to left center. Junior second baseman Scott Silva drew a walk and junior center fielder Jake Stone loaded the bases with a bunt single. Arruda followed with a bases-clearing double down the left field line giving the 'Dogs a 3-2 lead. Arruda came around to score on a two-out single up the middle by junior third baseman Jesse Medrano putting the 'Dogs up two runs.

The lead was short-lived as Cal Poly evened the score at four apiece with a pair of runs in the top of the third scoring both runs on wild pitches. With Arias being lifted for junior Mark Reece, the fourth-year junior was able to get the Mustangs to bounce into a 6-4-3 double play to escape the jam.

After Reece posted two more scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth followed by Burks' home run, Cal Poly got a run back in the sixth off Brennon Williams to cut the lead to two. The Bulldogs offense was not finished for the night adding two more runs in the seventh thanks to an RBI single by junior right fielder Austin Guibor and a throwing error by the Mustangs pitcher.

With senior relief pitcher Dylan Lee getting the 'Dogs third double play of the game to escape the eighth, the Mustangs made matters interesting in the ninth bringing up the potential tying run to the plate with two outs. After a leadoff walk, second baseman Brett Binning reached on a Bulldog error and another walk designated hitter Alex McKenna loaded the bases with two outs for shortstop Kyle Marinconz who bounced into a fielder's choice to end the game.

Reece picked up his first win of 2016 in his third-longest outing of the season throwing 2.2 innings allowing two hits. Williams tossed two innings allowing two hits and Lee went two innings allowing one hit and struck out two.

Fresno State now turns its attention to its final Mountain West series of the season traveling to UNLV (22-26, 12-12 MW) for a crucial three-game series starting Friday at 6:05 p.m.

Mountain West Tuesday Scoreboard
at Air Force 9, Northern Colorado 5
Arizona State 6, at UNLV 4
at Nevada 6, San Francisco 5
San Jose State 4, at Saint Mary's 1

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