Fresno State Athletics
Friday, March 2
Las Vegas, NV
6:05 PM
Fresno State
at
UNLV
Photo by: Keith Kountz/Fresno St
Diamond 'Dogs open Mountain West play with a showdown in Vegas [March 2-4]
3/1/2018 3:30:00 PM | Baseball
The Diamond 'Dogs open their sixth season of Mountain West play on Friday night at red-hot UNLV at 6:05 p.m.
FRESNO, Calif. - After pushing its winning streak to four games on Wednesday night with a 6-1 win over UC Santa Barbara, the Bulldogs hit the road this weekend to open up Mountain West play taking on UNLV in Las Vegas.
Games 11-13: Fresno State (8-2, 0-0 MW) at UNLV (8-1, 0-0 MW)
• Fresno State opens its sixth season in the Mountain West this weekend traveling to UNLV to take on the red-hot Rebels who are off to a 8-1 start to the season.
• The Bulldogs are coming off a 6-1 win over UC Santa Barbara at home on Wednesday night to move to 8-2 on the season.
• The 'Dogs are currently riding their second four-game winning streak of the season as seven pitchers combined to toss a one-hitter against the Gauchos.
• The Bulldogs are 4-1 in MW openers winning its last two, but are only 1-4 in MW road openers with its lone win coming at San Diego State in 2016 with a 3-2 win in 10 innings.
• Fresno State has now matched its third-best start after 10 games under Coach Batesole matching 2014 (8-2) and only surpassed by 2011 (9-1) and 2016 (10-0).
• Junior RHP Edgar Gonzalez, a Preseason All-Mountain West selection, was named the Mountain West Pitcher of the Week for a second consecutive week after tossing a career-high eight innings allowing three hits, all singles, zero earned run while striking out a career-best 17 in a 3-2 win over HBU on Feb. 24.
• The 'Dogs currently lead the Mountain West in sacrifice bunts (10) and wins (8) while ranking second in batting average (.281), double plays (8), doubles (17), hits (94), home runs (7), slugging percentage (.418) & strikeouts (103).
Fresno State vs. UNLV - The Series
• The Fresno State/UNLV series dates back to 1977 with the Bulldogs leading 49-34.
• When Fresno State joined the MW to start the 2013 season, it matched up the two teams for the first time since 1999, when both the Bulldogs and Rebels were members of the WAC.
• As Mountain West foes, the Bulldogs lead 17-10 after winning two of three games in Las Vegas in the two teams' lone series of 2017.
• The 'Dogs are 8-5 against the Rebels in Las Vegas since 2013 winning two of three games in each of the last two seasons.
SERIES HISTORY
All-Time: Fresno State 49-34
Last Meeting: May 7, 2017 (Las Vegas, Nev.) - L, 5-14
Current Streak: L1
Last Fresno State Win: May 6, 2017 (11-5) - Las Vegas, Nev.
Last UNLV Win: May 7, 2017 (14-5) - Las Vegas, Nev.
Where Fresno State Ranks Offensively in the Mountain West/nation in 2018 (as of 3/1/18)
• .281 Batting Average: No. 2
• .418 Slugging Pct: No. 2
• .347 On base Pct: No. 4
• 11 sacrifice bunts: No. 1 - 1st nationally
• 43 Runs: No. 5
• 94 Hits: No. 2 - 22nd nationally
• 39 RBI: No. 4
• 17 Doubles: No. 2 - 22nd nationally
• 3 Triples: No. 5
• 7 Home Runs: No. 2
Where Fresno State Ranks Pitching in the Mountain West/nation in 2018 (as of 3/1/18)
• 2.77 ERA: No. 3
• .205 Opposing bat average: No. 2
• 4 saves: No. T-1
• 103 strikeouts: No. 2
• 28 Earned runs allowed: No. 4
• 66 Hits allowed: No. 3
• 39 walks allowed: No. 5
• 10 doubles allowed: No. 4
• 0 triples allowed: No. T-1
• 6 home runs allowed: No. 6
Where Fresno State Ranks Fielding in the Mountain West/nation in 2018 (as of 3/1/18)
• .979 Fielding Percentage: No. 4
• 106 Assists: No. 1
• 8 double plays: No. 2
Where Fresno State Players Rank in the Mountain West/NCAA in 2018 (as of 3/1/18)
Batting average - Zach Ashford - 2nd (.500) - 28th nationally
RBI: JT Arruda - 3rd (12)
Hits: Carter Bins - 3rd (16) - 15th nationally
Doubles: Bins- 1st (5) - 11th nationally
Home runs: Arruda - 4th (3)
Sacrifice bunts: Korby Batesole - 1st (5) - 1st nationally
Stolen bases: Jeremiah Burks - 2nd (3)
Earned run average: Ryan Jensen - 1st (0.00) - 1st nationally
Opposing batting average - Jensen - 3rd (.140)
Innings pitched: Edgar Gonzalez - 1st (16.0)
Strikeouts: Gonzalez - 1st (26) - 1st nationally
Wins: Gonzalez - T-1st (2) - 5th nationally
Saves: Jamison Hill - T-1st (2)
A look at the UNLV Rebels
UNLV, coming off a 20-36 overall record in 2017 and a last place finish in the Mountain West, has turned the page this season and is off to a blazing 8-1 start and comes into this weekend's series with the 'Dogs on a five-game winning streak.
The Rebels, who were picked to finish fifth in the MW Preseason poll, have played eight of its nine games at home and are currently hitting .336 as a team to lead the MW and rank 16th in the nation. UNLV also leads the MW in doubles (27), hits (110), home runs (17), on-base percentage (.397), runs (78) and scoring (8.7 runs per game).
On the mound, UNLV sports a staff ERA of 2.82 to rank fourth in the MW while holding opponents to a .251 average and 3.9 runs per game. The Rebels allow an average of nine hits per game and have 65 strikeouts while only allowing 27 walks.
'Dogs off to a hot start
The Bulldogs are off to their third-best 10-game start to a season in the Batesole era, since 2003, matching its 8-2 start in 2014 and only surpassed by 2011 (9-1) and 2016 (10-0). After 13 games, the 2014 squad was 9-4, while the 2011 and 2016 teams were 11-2.
Ryan Jensen off to a dominating start
Sophomore right-hander Ryan Jensen has been lights out early in the season despite being unable to pick up a win tossing 14.0 shutout innings while allowing only six hits, one double, while striking out 14 and holding opponents to a .140 average.
'Dogs leading the nation in sacrifice bunts
Playing a National League style of play this season, the 'Dogs have to manufacture runs in creative ways and one of those ways is through sacrifice bunts as the 'Dogs have 10 on the season to lead the nation. Senior shortstop Korby Batesole leads the club with five, also leading the country.
Junior RHP Edgar Gonzalez earns second consecutive Mountain West Pitcher of the Week honor
Gonzalez earned his second career Mountain West Pitcher of the Week honor after the Newark, Calif., native and Preseason All-Mountain West selection notched his second win of the season on Saturday evening in the second game of a doubleheader against Houston Baptist helping the Diamond 'Dogs complete a doubleheader sweep over the Huskies.
Gonzalez tossed a career-high eight innings in the 'Dogs 3-2 win limiting HBU to three hits, all singles, zero earned runs while striking out a career-high 17. Only allowing one baserunner past first base in his entire outing, Gonzalez struck out seven consecutive Huskies at one point with the final out of the third and struck out the side in the fourth and fifth innings. After giving up a pair of singles to start the sixth inning, Gonzalez retired the final nine HBU batters he faced, including six via the strikeout.
'Dogs finding good fortune in Vegas
A weird scheduling quirk has pitted the last three Bulldog-Rebel series all in Las Vegas as the final series of 2016, only series of 2017 and first series of 2018 all took place in Sin City. The Bulldogs have found life in Vegas to be alright as the 'Dogs are 8-5 against the Rebels in Vegas since joining the Mountain West in 2013 and are 9-6 overall in Vegas after winning one of three games in the Mountain West Tournament in 2014.
May 3-5, 2013 - 1-2 [L, 1-4; L, 2-9; W, 9-4]
2014 MW Tournament - May 21-23 [W, 4-3 vs. Nevada; L, 3-5 vs. UNLV; L, 2-10 vs. Nevada]
May 8-10, 2015 - 3-0 [W, 6-1; W, 8-3; W, 6-2]
May 13-15, 2016 - 2-1 [W, 9-1; W, 7-2; L, 5-8]
May 5-7, 2017 - 2-1 [W, 12-5; W, 11-5; L, 5-14]
Bulldogs in Mountain West Openers
Now in their sixth year in the Mountain West, Fresno State is 4-1 in MW openers defeating San Diego State in 2013 and 2016, Nevada in 2014 and 2017 while falling to the Wolf Pack on the road in 2015.
• 2013 - vs. San Diego State - W, 1-0
• 2014 - vs. Nevada - W, 4-1
• 2015 - at Nevada - L, 9-8 (10)
• 2016 - at San Diego State - W, 3-2 (10)
• 2017- vs. Nevada - W, 3-2
Fresno State in Mountain West road openers
March 22, 2013 - L, 14-7 at Air Force
March 8, 2014 - L, 6-2 at Air Force
Feb, 20, 2015 - L, 9-8 (10) at Nevada
March 4, 2016 - W, 3-2 (10) at San Diego State
March 17, 2017 - L, 14-5 at Air Force
The 'Dogs are 1-4 in their Mountain West road openers dropping their first three contests before winning at San Diego State 3-2 in 10 innings in 2016. The Bulldogs fell 14-5 at Air Force last season before bouncing back to win the next two games to win the series.
Fresh faces
15 Bulldogs have seen their first action at Fresno State this season as nine position players and six pitchers have made their debuts this season.
Joseph Mendez, Nate Thimjon, JT Arruda, Emilio Nogales, Zach Presno, Austin White, Nolan Dempsey, Auston Chastain, Nikoh Mitchell, Oscar Carvajal, Jaime Arias, Jamison Hill, Chad Wilson , Miles Tomczak and Tiegen Jones have all played in their first game as Bulldogs this season.
Ten-year anniversary of the 2008 National Championship Team
On Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15, Fresno State Athletics will honor the 2008 National Championship Wonderdogs prior to the Bulldogs' game vs. San Jose State as we encourage fans to help come out and honor one of Fresno State Athletics greatest team accomplishments in school history.
The first No. 4 regional seed ever to advance to the College World Series, the 'Dogs proved all the doubters wrong and upset a talented field and came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs in the final two games of the championship series for the title.
Up next
The Bulldogs return home next week for four home games hosting San Francisco (4-3) on Tuesday night and MW foe New Mexico (4-3-1) on March 9-11.
"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:
Twitter: @Fresno StateBSB
Instagram: fresnostatebsb
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat: FSAthletics
Games 11-13: Fresno State (8-2, 0-0 MW) at UNLV (8-1, 0-0 MW)
First Pitch: March 2-4 - Fri: 6:05 p.m., Sat: 2:05 p.m., Sun: 1:05 p.m.
Stadium: Earl E. Wilson Stadium (3,000)
Surface: Grass
Dimensions: 335 (LF), 400 (CF), 335 (RF)
All-Time Series: Fresno State leads 49-34
Last Meeting: UNLV defeated Fresno State 14-5 (May 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nev.)
Radio (Sunday Only): 940 AM ESPN
Play-by-play: Paul Loeffler
Video (Saturday & Sunday): Mountain West Network
Live Stats: Gametracker
Twitter: @FresnoStateBSB
• Fresno State opens its sixth season in the Mountain West this weekend traveling to UNLV to take on the red-hot Rebels who are off to a 8-1 start to the season.
• The Bulldogs are coming off a 6-1 win over UC Santa Barbara at home on Wednesday night to move to 8-2 on the season.
• The 'Dogs are currently riding their second four-game winning streak of the season as seven pitchers combined to toss a one-hitter against the Gauchos.
• The Bulldogs are 4-1 in MW openers winning its last two, but are only 1-4 in MW road openers with its lone win coming at San Diego State in 2016 with a 3-2 win in 10 innings.
• Fresno State has now matched its third-best start after 10 games under Coach Batesole matching 2014 (8-2) and only surpassed by 2011 (9-1) and 2016 (10-0).
• Junior RHP Edgar Gonzalez, a Preseason All-Mountain West selection, was named the Mountain West Pitcher of the Week for a second consecutive week after tossing a career-high eight innings allowing three hits, all singles, zero earned run while striking out a career-best 17 in a 3-2 win over HBU on Feb. 24.
• The 'Dogs currently lead the Mountain West in sacrifice bunts (10) and wins (8) while ranking second in batting average (.281), double plays (8), doubles (17), hits (94), home runs (7), slugging percentage (.418) & strikeouts (103).
Fresno State vs. UNLV - The Series
• The Fresno State/UNLV series dates back to 1977 with the Bulldogs leading 49-34.
• When Fresno State joined the MW to start the 2013 season, it matched up the two teams for the first time since 1999, when both the Bulldogs and Rebels were members of the WAC.
• As Mountain West foes, the Bulldogs lead 17-10 after winning two of three games in Las Vegas in the two teams' lone series of 2017.
• The 'Dogs are 8-5 against the Rebels in Las Vegas since 2013 winning two of three games in each of the last two seasons.
SERIES HISTORY
All-Time: Fresno State 49-34
Last Meeting: May 7, 2017 (Las Vegas, Nev.) - L, 5-14
Current Streak: L1
Last Fresno State Win: May 6, 2017 (11-5) - Las Vegas, Nev.
Last UNLV Win: May 7, 2017 (14-5) - Las Vegas, Nev.
Where Fresno State Ranks Offensively in the Mountain West/nation in 2018 (as of 3/1/18)
• .281 Batting Average: No. 2
• .418 Slugging Pct: No. 2
• .347 On base Pct: No. 4
• 11 sacrifice bunts: No. 1 - 1st nationally
• 43 Runs: No. 5
• 94 Hits: No. 2 - 22nd nationally
• 39 RBI: No. 4
• 17 Doubles: No. 2 - 22nd nationally
• 3 Triples: No. 5
• 7 Home Runs: No. 2
Where Fresno State Ranks Pitching in the Mountain West/nation in 2018 (as of 3/1/18)
• 2.77 ERA: No. 3
• .205 Opposing bat average: No. 2
• 4 saves: No. T-1
• 103 strikeouts: No. 2
• 28 Earned runs allowed: No. 4
• 66 Hits allowed: No. 3
• 39 walks allowed: No. 5
• 10 doubles allowed: No. 4
• 0 triples allowed: No. T-1
• 6 home runs allowed: No. 6
Where Fresno State Ranks Fielding in the Mountain West/nation in 2018 (as of 3/1/18)
• .979 Fielding Percentage: No. 4
• 106 Assists: No. 1
• 8 double plays: No. 2
Where Fresno State Players Rank in the Mountain West/NCAA in 2018 (as of 3/1/18)
Batting average - Zach Ashford - 2nd (.500) - 28th nationally
RBI: JT Arruda - 3rd (12)
Hits: Carter Bins - 3rd (16) - 15th nationally
Doubles: Bins- 1st (5) - 11th nationally
Home runs: Arruda - 4th (3)
Sacrifice bunts: Korby Batesole - 1st (5) - 1st nationally
Stolen bases: Jeremiah Burks - 2nd (3)
Earned run average: Ryan Jensen - 1st (0.00) - 1st nationally
Opposing batting average - Jensen - 3rd (.140)
Innings pitched: Edgar Gonzalez - 1st (16.0)
Strikeouts: Gonzalez - 1st (26) - 1st nationally
Wins: Gonzalez - T-1st (2) - 5th nationally
Saves: Jamison Hill - T-1st (2)
A look at the UNLV Rebels
UNLV, coming off a 20-36 overall record in 2017 and a last place finish in the Mountain West, has turned the page this season and is off to a blazing 8-1 start and comes into this weekend's series with the 'Dogs on a five-game winning streak.
The Rebels, who were picked to finish fifth in the MW Preseason poll, have played eight of its nine games at home and are currently hitting .336 as a team to lead the MW and rank 16th in the nation. UNLV also leads the MW in doubles (27), hits (110), home runs (17), on-base percentage (.397), runs (78) and scoring (8.7 runs per game).
On the mound, UNLV sports a staff ERA of 2.82 to rank fourth in the MW while holding opponents to a .251 average and 3.9 runs per game. The Rebels allow an average of nine hits per game and have 65 strikeouts while only allowing 27 walks.
'Dogs off to a hot start
The Bulldogs are off to their third-best 10-game start to a season in the Batesole era, since 2003, matching its 8-2 start in 2014 and only surpassed by 2011 (9-1) and 2016 (10-0). After 13 games, the 2014 squad was 9-4, while the 2011 and 2016 teams were 11-2.
Ryan Jensen off to a dominating start
Sophomore right-hander Ryan Jensen has been lights out early in the season despite being unable to pick up a win tossing 14.0 shutout innings while allowing only six hits, one double, while striking out 14 and holding opponents to a .140 average.
'Dogs leading the nation in sacrifice bunts
Playing a National League style of play this season, the 'Dogs have to manufacture runs in creative ways and one of those ways is through sacrifice bunts as the 'Dogs have 10 on the season to lead the nation. Senior shortstop Korby Batesole leads the club with five, also leading the country.
Junior RHP Edgar Gonzalez earns second consecutive Mountain West Pitcher of the Week honor
Gonzalez earned his second career Mountain West Pitcher of the Week honor after the Newark, Calif., native and Preseason All-Mountain West selection notched his second win of the season on Saturday evening in the second game of a doubleheader against Houston Baptist helping the Diamond 'Dogs complete a doubleheader sweep over the Huskies.
Gonzalez tossed a career-high eight innings in the 'Dogs 3-2 win limiting HBU to three hits, all singles, zero earned runs while striking out a career-high 17. Only allowing one baserunner past first base in his entire outing, Gonzalez struck out seven consecutive Huskies at one point with the final out of the third and struck out the side in the fourth and fifth innings. After giving up a pair of singles to start the sixth inning, Gonzalez retired the final nine HBU batters he faced, including six via the strikeout.
'Dogs finding good fortune in Vegas
A weird scheduling quirk has pitted the last three Bulldog-Rebel series all in Las Vegas as the final series of 2016, only series of 2017 and first series of 2018 all took place in Sin City. The Bulldogs have found life in Vegas to be alright as the 'Dogs are 8-5 against the Rebels in Vegas since joining the Mountain West in 2013 and are 9-6 overall in Vegas after winning one of three games in the Mountain West Tournament in 2014.
May 3-5, 2013 - 1-2 [L, 1-4; L, 2-9; W, 9-4]
2014 MW Tournament - May 21-23 [W, 4-3 vs. Nevada; L, 3-5 vs. UNLV; L, 2-10 vs. Nevada]
May 8-10, 2015 - 3-0 [W, 6-1; W, 8-3; W, 6-2]
May 13-15, 2016 - 2-1 [W, 9-1; W, 7-2; L, 5-8]
May 5-7, 2017 - 2-1 [W, 12-5; W, 11-5; L, 5-14]
Bulldogs in Mountain West Openers
Now in their sixth year in the Mountain West, Fresno State is 4-1 in MW openers defeating San Diego State in 2013 and 2016, Nevada in 2014 and 2017 while falling to the Wolf Pack on the road in 2015.
• 2013 - vs. San Diego State - W, 1-0
• 2014 - vs. Nevada - W, 4-1
• 2015 - at Nevada - L, 9-8 (10)
• 2016 - at San Diego State - W, 3-2 (10)
• 2017- vs. Nevada - W, 3-2
Fresno State in Mountain West road openers
March 22, 2013 - L, 14-7 at Air Force
March 8, 2014 - L, 6-2 at Air Force
Feb, 20, 2015 - L, 9-8 (10) at Nevada
March 4, 2016 - W, 3-2 (10) at San Diego State
March 17, 2017 - L, 14-5 at Air Force
The 'Dogs are 1-4 in their Mountain West road openers dropping their first three contests before winning at San Diego State 3-2 in 10 innings in 2016. The Bulldogs fell 14-5 at Air Force last season before bouncing back to win the next two games to win the series.
Fresh faces
15 Bulldogs have seen their first action at Fresno State this season as nine position players and six pitchers have made their debuts this season.
Joseph Mendez, Nate Thimjon, JT Arruda, Emilio Nogales, Zach Presno, Austin White, Nolan Dempsey, Auston Chastain, Nikoh Mitchell, Oscar Carvajal, Jaime Arias, Jamison Hill, Chad Wilson , Miles Tomczak and Tiegen Jones have all played in their first game as Bulldogs this season.
Ten-year anniversary of the 2008 National Championship Team
On Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15, Fresno State Athletics will honor the 2008 National Championship Wonderdogs prior to the Bulldogs' game vs. San Jose State as we encourage fans to help come out and honor one of Fresno State Athletics greatest team accomplishments in school history.
The first No. 4 regional seed ever to advance to the College World Series, the 'Dogs proved all the doubters wrong and upset a talented field and came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs in the final two games of the championship series for the title.
Up next
The Bulldogs return home next week for four home games hosting San Francisco (4-3) on Tuesday night and MW foe New Mexico (4-3-1) on March 9-11.
"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:
Twitter: @Fresno StateBSB
Instagram: fresnostatebsb
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat: FSAthletics
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