Fresno State Athletics
Friday, February 16
Fresno, CA
6:05 PM
Fresno State
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Michigan State
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Photo by: Kiel Maddox
Mendez delivers 'Dogs a walk-off 5-4 win over Spartans in his first career at-bat
2/16/2018 10:17:00 PM | Baseball
Fresno State Baseball won its 10th straight season opener on Friday night defeating Michigan State, 5-4 on a walk-off single by freshman Joey Mendez.
FRESNO, Calif. - Entering a tied game in the bottom of the ninth inning, Fresno State freshman outfielder Joey Mendez made his Bulldog debut a memorable one on Friday night delivering a one-out walk-off single to bring home the game-winning run and give the 'Dogs a 5-4 win over Michigan State in the season opener.
Fresno State (1-0) won its 10th consecutive season opener behind clutch late-game hitting as the 'Dogs tallied four runs and six hits over the final three innings. Leading the way on offense was junior outfielder Zach Ashford with three hits, including a double, as he added two RBIs and scored a run.
Five other Bulldogs finished with one hit apiece, including a two-run RBI double by sophomore catcher Carter Bins.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Jamison Hill picked up his first career win on the mound in his first action as a 'Dog tossing two innings while striking out four. Sophomore right-hander Ryan Jensen, making only his second career start, was sensational tossing a career-high 7.0 innings limiting Michigan State (0-1) to two hits while striking out a career-high five.
How It Happened
Behind Jensen's seven strong innings of work of the mound, the 'Dogs were able to build a 3-0 lead jumping on the scoreboard first with a run in the third inning on a double down the left field line by Ashford that drove in junior second baseman Jeremiah Burks.
A two-run double by Bins in the seventh drove home Burks and Ashford, but after turning the game to the bullpen, the Spartans were able to generate some offense exploding for a four-run top of the eighth inning. A two-run home run by MSU's redshirt senior designated hitter Chad Roskelly off Hill pushed the Spartans in front 4-3, but the 'Dogs would not be dettered.
Continuing to battle, the 'Dogs evened the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the frame as Ashford came through with a two-out single driving home Burks. After Hill came back out to work a spotless ninth inning, the 'Dogs completed their rally in the bottom of the ninth as redshirt freshman JT Arruda drew a one-out walk followed by a single by McCarthy Tatum put a pair on base for Mendez who came through with a single to left field scoring Arruda giving the 'Dogs the victory in dramatic fashion.
Quotable
Head Coach Mike Batesole
On freshman Joey Mendez making his Bulldog debut....Â
"As a sophomore in high school at Saugus HS, he was one of the top hitters in his conference. He ran into injuries and having to go to a junior college last year and redshirt while getting set academically, but we know his potential. He is a true freshman and also a redshirt freshman and a few years ago, all the top baseball people knew exactly who he is and before he leaves Fresno State he is going to be an offensive force.
On true freshman right-handed pitcher Jamison Hill.....Â
"I am really proud of these young guys especially Jamison Hill. You could tell he was very excited and he is going to pitch in the big leagues some day, he is that talented. He is very young and is one of those early graduates and the guy who hit the home run off him is a fifth-year senior so he is 23-24 years old, so there is quite a difference in experience. All he did after that in the next two innings was find his fastball and send guys down. He is a special kid."
On the development of sophomore Ryan Jensen and the entire sophomore pitching class......
"It is really exciting to see those guys grow that sophomore class. I think you are going to see all of those guys make a big difference from a season ago."
Notes
The 'Dogs and Spartans continue their four-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday at Bob Bennett Stadium with action starting at 2:05 p.m. Watch both of Saturday's games on FloSports.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter:Â @Fresno StateBSB
Instagram:Â fresnostatebsb
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
Fresno State (1-0) won its 10th consecutive season opener behind clutch late-game hitting as the 'Dogs tallied four runs and six hits over the final three innings. Leading the way on offense was junior outfielder Zach Ashford with three hits, including a double, as he added two RBIs and scored a run.
Five other Bulldogs finished with one hit apiece, including a two-run RBI double by sophomore catcher Carter Bins.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Jamison Hill picked up his first career win on the mound in his first action as a 'Dog tossing two innings while striking out four. Sophomore right-hander Ryan Jensen, making only his second career start, was sensational tossing a career-high 7.0 innings limiting Michigan State (0-1) to two hits while striking out a career-high five.
How It Happened
Behind Jensen's seven strong innings of work of the mound, the 'Dogs were able to build a 3-0 lead jumping on the scoreboard first with a run in the third inning on a double down the left field line by Ashford that drove in junior second baseman Jeremiah Burks.
A two-run double by Bins in the seventh drove home Burks and Ashford, but after turning the game to the bullpen, the Spartans were able to generate some offense exploding for a four-run top of the eighth inning. A two-run home run by MSU's redshirt senior designated hitter Chad Roskelly off Hill pushed the Spartans in front 4-3, but the 'Dogs would not be dettered.
Continuing to battle, the 'Dogs evened the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the frame as Ashford came through with a two-out single driving home Burks. After Hill came back out to work a spotless ninth inning, the 'Dogs completed their rally in the bottom of the ninth as redshirt freshman JT Arruda drew a one-out walk followed by a single by McCarthy Tatum put a pair on base for Mendez who came through with a single to left field scoring Arruda giving the 'Dogs the victory in dramatic fashion.
Quotable
Head Coach Mike Batesole
On freshman Joey Mendez making his Bulldog debut....Â
"As a sophomore in high school at Saugus HS, he was one of the top hitters in his conference. He ran into injuries and having to go to a junior college last year and redshirt while getting set academically, but we know his potential. He is a true freshman and also a redshirt freshman and a few years ago, all the top baseball people knew exactly who he is and before he leaves Fresno State he is going to be an offensive force.
On true freshman right-handed pitcher Jamison Hill.....Â
"I am really proud of these young guys especially Jamison Hill. You could tell he was very excited and he is going to pitch in the big leagues some day, he is that talented. He is very young and is one of those early graduates and the guy who hit the home run off him is a fifth-year senior so he is 23-24 years old, so there is quite a difference in experience. All he did after that in the next two innings was find his fastball and send guys down. He is a special kid."
On the development of sophomore Ryan Jensen and the entire sophomore pitching class......
"It is really exciting to see those guys grow that sophomore class. I think you are going to see all of those guys make a big difference from a season ago."
Notes
- It was the 'Dogs 10th consecutive win in a season opener dating back to 2009.
- It was also the 10th straight season the 'Dogs have won their home opener.
- JT Arruda, Zach Presno, Nikoh Mitchell, Mendez, Austin White, Nate Thimjon and Hill all made their Bulldog debuts on Friday.
- Burks tied his career with two runs scored.
- McCarthy Tatum saw his first game action since May 27, 2016 making his first career start in the outfield returning after sitting out all of 2017 with an injury.
- Redshirt senior Nick Warren made his first career start at first base.
The 'Dogs and Spartans continue their four-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday at Bob Bennett Stadium with action starting at 2:05 p.m. Watch both of Saturday's games on FloSports.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter:Â @Fresno StateBSB
Instagram:Â fresnostatebsb
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hill, Jamison (1-0)
L: Flohr,Evan (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Gleaves,Danny 1
HR: Roskelly,Chad 1
RBI: Gleaves,Danny 1 ; Roskelly,Chad 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Kelley,Bryce 1 ; Gleaves,Danny 1 ; Roskelly,Chad 1 ; Antoncic,Justin 1
SB: Kelley,Bryce 1
HBP: Peterson,Bailey 1 ; Bechina,Marty 1
Batting:
2B: Ashford, Zach 1 ; Bins, Carter 1
RBI: Ashford, Zach 2 ; Bins, Carter 2 ; Mendez, Joseph 1
SH: Batesole, Korby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ashford, Zach 1 ; Arruda, JT 1 ; Mitchell, Nikoh 1 ; Burks, Jeremiah 2
SB: Burks, Jeremiah 1
HBP: Batesole, Korby 1 ; Burks, Jeremiah 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
1
H
3
RBI
2
AB
5
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
lf/1b
AB
5
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
Outfield
/ BaseballCatcher
/ Baseball
Infield
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballCatcher
/ BaseballOutfield
/ Baseball
Outfield
/ Baseball
Infield
/ Baseball
Outfield
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