Diamond 'Dogs hold off San Jose State for 3-1 win

Friday, March 22

Fresno, CA

6:05 PM

Fresno State

10-5, 2-2

San Jose State

12-9, 6-4

San Jose State

Fresno State

Photo by: Keith Kountz/Fresno State

Diamond 'Dogs hold off San Jose State for 3-1 win

3/22/2019 10:55:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Fresno State and San Jose State return to Pete Beiden Field tomorrow night as the Diamond 'Dogs look for the series win over the Mountain West leader

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Communications Student Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team defeated San Jose State in game one of a three-game Mountain West series on Friday night, 3-1. Junior starting pitcher Ryan Jensen threw a season-high seven complete innings to move him to 3-1 this season.

The Diamond 'Dogs knocked four hits on the night, highlighted by a leadoff double from senior center fielder Zach Ashford. Junior catcher Carter Bins, senior third baseman McCarthy Tatum and senior second baseman Nolan Dempsey each tallied hits for the 'Dogs on Friday.

Although the hits were not overwhelming, the Diamond 'Dogs worked the Spartan pitching staff for a season-high 13 drawn walks to get on base.

Fresno State improves to 10-5 (2-2 MW) this season.

How it happened
Fresno State tacked on two runs in the opening frame with hits from Ashford and Bins. Ashford scored the first run of the game on Bins' base hit and a fielder's choice play from Presno scored Bins to put the 'Dogs up, 2-0.

Each squad tacked on a run in the second inning, and that would be all the scoring that could be done through the final seven innings.

A hit batter and a base hit would be the cause of the lone Spartan run in the game, but the Bulldogs answered back in the home half by taking advantage of a pair of walks and a San Jose State fielding error to tack on a run for a 3-1 lead.

Jensen stayed strong on the mound, finishing after seven complete innings, giving up three hits and three walks, striking out four and giving up one run. Redshirt sophomore Oscar Carvajal came out for the last two innings and picked up a pair of strikeouts giving up zero hits to convert the save.

Quotable
Mike Batesole, Fresno State head coach
On getting back on the field for a big Friday night win....
"It was a great win to have a first place team in here and the guys were really excited to play tonight. It was great to get the San Jose State starting pitcher's pitch count up."

On Bulldog junior starting pitcher Ryan Jensen.....
"He was a veteran pitching machine and has grown 10 years over the last three. I am real proud of his performance and has learned what you have to do to win on Friday night and that was a good team win today."

On battling MW first-place San Jose State....
"To go out there and execute against a first-place team like is a great team win. We just found a way to win and that was special."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's game…
"I am way more excited right now than I was after scoring 17 runs on Tuesday. On Tuesday, we went out there and slugged it out. Today, we did whatever it took to win and that is what champions do. Champions find ways to win. They don't find ways to lose. Tonight was very difficult. Their starter is a very difficult pitcher and to go out there and find a way to get it done is very special. I am very proud of them."

Notable

The Bulldogs drew a season-high 13 walks.
Ryan Jensen threw a season-high seven innings.
Zach Ashford had his sixth consecutive game with a hit and has now reached base in all 15 games this season.
JT Arruda drew a single-game career-high four walks against the Spartans.
Seven different Bulldogs were walked and four drew multiple walks - Arruda (4), Ashford (2), Zach Presno (2) and EJ Andrews, Jr. (2).

Up Next
Fresno State and San Jose State return to Pete Beiden Field tomorrow night as the Diamond 'Dogs look for the series win over the Mountain West leader. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PT.

"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: @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram: fresnostateathletics
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics