Fresno State Athletics
Tuesday, March 19
Stockton, CA
6:00 PM
Fresno State
at
Pacific
Photo by: Kiel Maddox
Diamond 'Dogs return to action at Pacific Tuesday
3/18/2019 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
After an unexpected week off since its last game, the Fresno State baseball team returns to the field on Tuesday evening traveling to Pacific for its first midweek road game of the season.
FRESNO, Calif. - After an unexpected week off since its last game, the Fresno State baseball team returns to the field on Tuesday evening traveling to Pacific for its first midweek road game of the season.
Game 14:Â Fresno State (8-5) at Pacific (11-8)
First Pitch:Â March 19 - Tue: 6:00 p.m.
Stadium:Â Klein Family Field
Surface:Â Grass
Dimensions:Â 317 (LF), 405 (CF), 325 (RF)
All-Time Series:Â Fresno State leads 97-47
Last Meeting:Â Pacific defeated Fresno State, 12-11 (April 19, 2017 in Stockton, Calif.)
Video:Â TheW.tv
Radio:Â N/A
Live Stats:Â StatBroadcast
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateBSB
Pitching Probables: Fresno State at Pacific
Tuesday: So. LHP Nikoh Mitchell (1-2, 9.35 ERA, 17.1 IP, 13 K) vs. Fr. RHP Dylan Pottgieser (0-0, 11.57, 4.2 IP, 4 K)
Bulldog Headlines
• Fresno State has had an unexpected week off since its last game after its scheduled Mountain West road-opening series at Air Force was canceled due to snow.
• The 'Dogs are coming off a 8-6 win over San Francisco last Tuesday as the Bulldogs smacked three home runs on their way to their eighth win of the season.
• The Bulldogs traveled to SEC foe and nationally-ranked Tennessee from March 8-10 picking up one win, a 10-7 victory in the series finale on March 10.
• Fresno State leads the all-time series over Pacific, 97-47, but the Tigers have won five of the last six meetings overall.
• The 'Dogs last win at Pacific came in 2001. The 'Dogs are 0-4 in Stockton since a 8-2 win on March 20, 2001.
• Redshirt senior third baseman McCarthy Tatum leads the 'Dogs hitting .396 from the plate and tops the team in hits (21), doubles (5), RBI (15) & total bases (31) and slugging percentage (.585).
• Tuesday's starting pitcher Nikoh Mitchell is 1-2 with a 9.35 ERA and has 13 K's in 17.1 IP.
Fresno State vs. Pacific - The Series
• Fresno State and Pacific have met 144 times on the baseball diamond.
• The Bulldogs lead the all-time series over the Tigers, 97-47.
• The two teams did not meet last season with the last meeting coming on April 19, 2017 with Pacific winning 12-11 in Stockton.
• Head coach Mike Batesole is 2-6 against Pacific while at Fresno State with a pair of meetings in 2013, 2014, 2016 & 2017.
Where Fresno State Rank Offensively in the Mountain West/nation in 2019 (as of 3/18/19)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• .287 Batting Average: No. 4
• .410 Slugging Pct: No. 2
• .362 On base Pct: No. 5
• 10 sacrifice bunts: No. T-3
• 78 Runs: No. 5
• 129 Hits: No. 6
• 69 RBI: No. 5
• 19 Doubles: No. 7
• 3 Triples: No. 7
• 10 Home Runs: No. 4Â
Where Fresno State Rank Pitching in the Mountain West/nation in 2019 (as of 3/18/19) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• 4.73 ERA: No. 4
• .266 Opposing bat average: No. 4
• 6 saves: No. T-3
• 124 strikeouts: No. 4
• 61 Earned runs allowed: No. T-2
• 121 Hits allowed: No. 2
• 63 walks allowed: No. 2
• 15 doubles allowed: No. 1
• 2 triples allowed: T-1
• 12 home runs allowed: No. T-5
Where Fresno State Rank Fielding in the Mountain West/nation in 2019 (as of 3/18/19)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• .973 Fielding Percentage: No. 2
• 126 Assists: No. 7
• 7 double plays: No. 6
Where Fresno State Players Rank in the Mountain West/NCAA in 2019 (as of 3/18/19) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Batting average: McCarthy Tatum - 3rd (.396)
Slugging percentage: Tatum - 6th (.585)
On-base percentage: Zach Ashford - 10th (.459)
Home runs: Zach Presno - T-3rd (3)
Sacrifice bunts: Nolan Dempsey - T-2nd (3)
Innings pitched: Davis Moore - 11th (23.0)
Strikeouts: Moore - T-7th (22)
Wins: Moore - T-3rd (3)
Saves: Jaime Arias - T-3rd (4)Â
Walks allowed: Ryan Jensen - T-4th (7)
Fielding percentage: 4 players - T-1st (1.000)
A look at the Pacific Tigers                          Â
Pacific enters Tuesday's contest against the Bulldogs with a 11-8 overall record and a 7-1 record at home. Â
The Tigers, who were picked to finish last in the West Coast Conference preseason poll, are coming off being swept in their WCC series opener over the weekend against Saint Mary's falling 5-3, 1-0 in 10 innings and 12-7 to the Gaels.Â
 Â
Pacific is hitting .251 as a team while scoring 5.6 runs per game and 8.4 hits per game. Junior catcher James Free II leads the team with a .387 average (4th in the WCC) topping the club in hits (29), doubles (5), total bases (40), slugging percentage (.533), on-base percentage (.444).
On the mound, the Tigers have a staff ERA of 4.03, seventh in the WCC, while allowing 4.7 runs per game and 8.8 strikeouts per game. Freshman right-hander Dylan Pottgieser will make his first career start on Tuesday for the Tigers after seeing time on the mound in six relief appearances so far this season working 4.2 innings and has four strikeouts with a 11.57 ERA.
Weather wrecks havoc on Air Force series                                     Â
The Bulldogs' Mountain West road-opening series at Air Force over the weekend was canceled due to large snowfall in the Colorado Spring area earlier in the week.
It was the fifth consecutive week the 'Dogs have battled the elements after losing a game to rain on opening weekend against Utah Valley, saw its Utah game at the Tony Gwynn Legacy canceled and had its Saturday games against UNLV and Tennessee each suspended due to rain.
Tatum, Jensen & Moore off to hot starts              Â
Redshirt senior third baseman McCarthy Tatum has started his final season as a Bulldog off hot leading the team in batting average (.396), hits (21), doubles (5), RBI (15), total bases (31) and slugging percentage (.585). The Clovis native also received his first start against San Francisco last Tuesday tossing two innings allowing four hits and two earned runs.
On the mound, weekend starters Ryan Jensen and Davis Moore have also gotten off to strong starts as Moore is 3-0 with 22 strikeouts in 23.0 innings while Jensen is 2-1 with a 5.59 ERA and has 21 strikeouts in 19.1 innings.
New 'Dogs in action                                          Â
Nine Bulldogs, five true freshman, three redshirt freshman and junior college transfer Nik Cardinal, have all made their debuts so far this season for the Bulldogs. True freshman outfielder EJ Andrews, Jr. has received seven starts, two in left field and five in right field while classmates Ryan Higgins, Jeff Jamison, Kyle Prushmeier and Matt Ottino have also seen action.Â
Redshirt freshman Kevin Larson and Robbie Peters have seen action on the mound and redshirt freshman outfielder Dylan Johnson received his first career start on March 3 in the 'Dogs 6-4 win over UNLV. JUCO transfer Cardinal saw his first action on the mound against the Vols tossing one inning apiece with three strikeouts and has only allowed one hit.
Bulldogs knock off two ranked opponent for first time since 2015Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
With the Diamond 'Dogs 10-7 win on March 10 in Knoxville over then-No. 25 Tennessee, the Bulldogs knocked off their second ranked opponent of the season after beating then-No. 25 Cal State Fullerton, 5-2 on Feb. 23 at the Tony Gwynn Legacy Tournament.
It is the first time the Bulldogs have knocked off two nationally-ranked opponents in the same season since 2015 when the 'Dogs beat then-No. 8 USC, 14-7 and then-No. 21 Cal, 7-2 within eight days of each other.
Batesole reaches 800 career win milestone                              Â
Head coach Mike Batesole reached career win number 800 on Feb. 16 in the Bulldogs' 6-3 season-opening win over Utah Valley at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium. Beginning his 17th season at the helm of the Bulldogs this season, Batesole has won 549 games at Fresno State and 256 at CSUN from 1996-2002 for a total of 805 career wins.
In his career, Batesole has won at least 30 games in 19 of his 23 years as a Division I head coach and in 13 of his 16 seasons at Fresno State.
Bulldogs Selected Third in Mountain West Preseason Coaches Poll  Â
For a second consecutive season, the Fresno State baseball team was picked to finish third in the Mountain West preseason poll released on Feb. 13. The Bulldogs garnered one first-place vote and tallied 28 points overall falling shy four points shy of first-place San Diego State. The Aztecs picked up 32 points and four first-place votes while Nevada got two first-place votes and 29 points to come in second. UNLV followed the Bulldogs in fourth while Air Force came in fifth and the poll was rounded out by New Mexico in sixth and San Jose State in seventh.Â
Ashford & Bins selected to Mountain West Preseason All-Conference Team
Senior outfielder Zach Ashford and junior catcher Carter Bins were each named to the 2019 Preseason All-Mountain West team on Feb. 13
A Second-Team All-Mountain West selection as a junior, Ashford started all 52 games he appeared in 2018 leading the team and ranking sixth in the MW with a .352 average from the plate. Â The 2017 Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year, Bins had a stellar sophomore season hitting .301 from the plate with 52 hits while smacking 18 doubles to rank tied for sixth in the MW and was one of three 'Dogs to lead the team with 39 RBIs which tied for the 15th-most in the league.
Up next
The Bulldogs return home this weekend getting back into Mountain West play hosting San Jose State (12-7, 6-3 MW) for a three-game series starting Friday at 6:05 p.m. It will be Kids Weekend and Sunday will be Salute to Services as all veterans get in for FREE.
"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 @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram:Â fresnostateathletics
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Game 14:Â Fresno State (8-5) at Pacific (11-8)
First Pitch:Â March 19 - Tue: 6:00 p.m.
Stadium:Â Klein Family Field
Surface:Â Grass
Dimensions:Â 317 (LF), 405 (CF), 325 (RF)
All-Time Series:Â Fresno State leads 97-47
Last Meeting:Â Pacific defeated Fresno State, 12-11 (April 19, 2017 in Stockton, Calif.)
Video:Â TheW.tv
Radio:Â N/A
Live Stats:Â StatBroadcast
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateBSB
Pitching Probables: Fresno State at Pacific
Tuesday: So. LHP Nikoh Mitchell (1-2, 9.35 ERA, 17.1 IP, 13 K) vs. Fr. RHP Dylan Pottgieser (0-0, 11.57, 4.2 IP, 4 K)
Bulldog Headlines
• Fresno State has had an unexpected week off since its last game after its scheduled Mountain West road-opening series at Air Force was canceled due to snow.
• The 'Dogs are coming off a 8-6 win over San Francisco last Tuesday as the Bulldogs smacked three home runs on their way to their eighth win of the season.
• The Bulldogs traveled to SEC foe and nationally-ranked Tennessee from March 8-10 picking up one win, a 10-7 victory in the series finale on March 10.
• Fresno State leads the all-time series over Pacific, 97-47, but the Tigers have won five of the last six meetings overall.
• The 'Dogs last win at Pacific came in 2001. The 'Dogs are 0-4 in Stockton since a 8-2 win on March 20, 2001.
• Redshirt senior third baseman McCarthy Tatum leads the 'Dogs hitting .396 from the plate and tops the team in hits (21), doubles (5), RBI (15) & total bases (31) and slugging percentage (.585).
• Tuesday's starting pitcher Nikoh Mitchell is 1-2 with a 9.35 ERA and has 13 K's in 17.1 IP.
Fresno State vs. Pacific - The Series
• Fresno State and Pacific have met 144 times on the baseball diamond.
• The Bulldogs lead the all-time series over the Tigers, 97-47.
• The two teams did not meet last season with the last meeting coming on April 19, 2017 with Pacific winning 12-11 in Stockton.
• Head coach Mike Batesole is 2-6 against Pacific while at Fresno State with a pair of meetings in 2013, 2014, 2016 & 2017.
Where Fresno State Rank Offensively in the Mountain West/nation in 2019 (as of 3/18/19)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• .287 Batting Average: No. 4
• .410 Slugging Pct: No. 2
• .362 On base Pct: No. 5
• 10 sacrifice bunts: No. T-3
• 78 Runs: No. 5
• 129 Hits: No. 6
• 69 RBI: No. 5
• 19 Doubles: No. 7
• 3 Triples: No. 7
• 10 Home Runs: No. 4Â
Where Fresno State Rank Pitching in the Mountain West/nation in 2019 (as of 3/18/19) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• 4.73 ERA: No. 4
• .266 Opposing bat average: No. 4
• 6 saves: No. T-3
• 124 strikeouts: No. 4
• 61 Earned runs allowed: No. T-2
• 121 Hits allowed: No. 2
• 63 walks allowed: No. 2
• 15 doubles allowed: No. 1
• 2 triples allowed: T-1
• 12 home runs allowed: No. T-5
Where Fresno State Rank Fielding in the Mountain West/nation in 2019 (as of 3/18/19)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
• .973 Fielding Percentage: No. 2
• 126 Assists: No. 7
• 7 double plays: No. 6
Where Fresno State Players Rank in the Mountain West/NCAA in 2019 (as of 3/18/19) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Batting average: McCarthy Tatum - 3rd (.396)
Slugging percentage: Tatum - 6th (.585)
On-base percentage: Zach Ashford - 10th (.459)
Home runs: Zach Presno - T-3rd (3)
Sacrifice bunts: Nolan Dempsey - T-2nd (3)
Innings pitched: Davis Moore - 11th (23.0)
Strikeouts: Moore - T-7th (22)
Wins: Moore - T-3rd (3)
Saves: Jaime Arias - T-3rd (4)Â
Walks allowed: Ryan Jensen - T-4th (7)
Fielding percentage: 4 players - T-1st (1.000)
A look at the Pacific Tigers                          Â
Pacific enters Tuesday's contest against the Bulldogs with a 11-8 overall record and a 7-1 record at home. Â
The Tigers, who were picked to finish last in the West Coast Conference preseason poll, are coming off being swept in their WCC series opener over the weekend against Saint Mary's falling 5-3, 1-0 in 10 innings and 12-7 to the Gaels.Â
 Â
Pacific is hitting .251 as a team while scoring 5.6 runs per game and 8.4 hits per game. Junior catcher James Free II leads the team with a .387 average (4th in the WCC) topping the club in hits (29), doubles (5), total bases (40), slugging percentage (.533), on-base percentage (.444).
On the mound, the Tigers have a staff ERA of 4.03, seventh in the WCC, while allowing 4.7 runs per game and 8.8 strikeouts per game. Freshman right-hander Dylan Pottgieser will make his first career start on Tuesday for the Tigers after seeing time on the mound in six relief appearances so far this season working 4.2 innings and has four strikeouts with a 11.57 ERA.
Weather wrecks havoc on Air Force series                                     Â
The Bulldogs' Mountain West road-opening series at Air Force over the weekend was canceled due to large snowfall in the Colorado Spring area earlier in the week.
It was the fifth consecutive week the 'Dogs have battled the elements after losing a game to rain on opening weekend against Utah Valley, saw its Utah game at the Tony Gwynn Legacy canceled and had its Saturday games against UNLV and Tennessee each suspended due to rain.
Tatum, Jensen & Moore off to hot starts              Â
Redshirt senior third baseman McCarthy Tatum has started his final season as a Bulldog off hot leading the team in batting average (.396), hits (21), doubles (5), RBI (15), total bases (31) and slugging percentage (.585). The Clovis native also received his first start against San Francisco last Tuesday tossing two innings allowing four hits and two earned runs.
On the mound, weekend starters Ryan Jensen and Davis Moore have also gotten off to strong starts as Moore is 3-0 with 22 strikeouts in 23.0 innings while Jensen is 2-1 with a 5.59 ERA and has 21 strikeouts in 19.1 innings.
New 'Dogs in action                                          Â
Nine Bulldogs, five true freshman, three redshirt freshman and junior college transfer Nik Cardinal, have all made their debuts so far this season for the Bulldogs. True freshman outfielder EJ Andrews, Jr. has received seven starts, two in left field and five in right field while classmates Ryan Higgins, Jeff Jamison, Kyle Prushmeier and Matt Ottino have also seen action.Â
Redshirt freshman Kevin Larson and Robbie Peters have seen action on the mound and redshirt freshman outfielder Dylan Johnson received his first career start on March 3 in the 'Dogs 6-4 win over UNLV. JUCO transfer Cardinal saw his first action on the mound against the Vols tossing one inning apiece with three strikeouts and has only allowed one hit.
Bulldogs knock off two ranked opponent for first time since 2015Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
With the Diamond 'Dogs 10-7 win on March 10 in Knoxville over then-No. 25 Tennessee, the Bulldogs knocked off their second ranked opponent of the season after beating then-No. 25 Cal State Fullerton, 5-2 on Feb. 23 at the Tony Gwynn Legacy Tournament.
It is the first time the Bulldogs have knocked off two nationally-ranked opponents in the same season since 2015 when the 'Dogs beat then-No. 8 USC, 14-7 and then-No. 21 Cal, 7-2 within eight days of each other.
Batesole reaches 800 career win milestone                              Â
Head coach Mike Batesole reached career win number 800 on Feb. 16 in the Bulldogs' 6-3 season-opening win over Utah Valley at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium. Beginning his 17th season at the helm of the Bulldogs this season, Batesole has won 549 games at Fresno State and 256 at CSUN from 1996-2002 for a total of 805 career wins.
In his career, Batesole has won at least 30 games in 19 of his 23 years as a Division I head coach and in 13 of his 16 seasons at Fresno State.
Bulldogs Selected Third in Mountain West Preseason Coaches Poll  Â
For a second consecutive season, the Fresno State baseball team was picked to finish third in the Mountain West preseason poll released on Feb. 13. The Bulldogs garnered one first-place vote and tallied 28 points overall falling shy four points shy of first-place San Diego State. The Aztecs picked up 32 points and four first-place votes while Nevada got two first-place votes and 29 points to come in second. UNLV followed the Bulldogs in fourth while Air Force came in fifth and the poll was rounded out by New Mexico in sixth and San Jose State in seventh.Â
Ashford & Bins selected to Mountain West Preseason All-Conference Team
Senior outfielder Zach Ashford and junior catcher Carter Bins were each named to the 2019 Preseason All-Mountain West team on Feb. 13
A Second-Team All-Mountain West selection as a junior, Ashford started all 52 games he appeared in 2018 leading the team and ranking sixth in the MW with a .352 average from the plate. Â The 2017 Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year, Bins had a stellar sophomore season hitting .301 from the plate with 52 hits while smacking 18 doubles to rank tied for sixth in the MW and was one of three 'Dogs to lead the team with 39 RBIs which tied for the 15th-most in the league.
Up next
The Bulldogs return home this weekend getting back into Mountain West play hosting San Jose State (12-7, 6-3 MW) for a three-game series starting Friday at 6:05 p.m. It will be Kids Weekend and Sunday will be Salute to Services as all veterans get in for FREE.
"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 @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram:Â fresnostateathletics
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
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