Spartans edge out Bulldogs for a 2-1 win on Saturday night

Saturday, March 23

Fresno, CA

6:05 PM

Fresno State

10-6, 2-3

San Jose State

13-9, 7-4

San Jose State

Fresno State

Photo by: Randy Sartin Photography

Spartans edge out Bulldogs for a 2-1 win on Saturday night

3/23/2019 11:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

The Bulldogs were led offensively by sophomore Nate Thimjon who tied his career-high and set a new season-high with three hits in the nine slot on Saturday night.

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Communications Student Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team fell in Saturday night's game two contest with San Jose State, 2-1. The Diamond 'Dogs were unable to find an offensive groove that was enough to make up for defensive errors made.

Fresno State falls to 2-3 in Mountain West play this season, but still has a chance to take the series win against conference leader San Jose State tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. PT.

The Bulldogs were led offensively by sophomore Nate Thimjon who tied his career-high and set a new season-high with three hits in the nine slot on Saturday night.

How it happened
Sophomore lefty Nikoh Mitchell saw his sixth start of the season against the Spartans and threw for a scoreless first inning, with a three up, three down outing. The Diamond 'Dogs were sat down in order by San Jose State's starting pitcher, Tevin Cadola.

The Spartans got on the board in the second inning after Johnny Mendoza reached on a Bulldog fielding error and scored on a wild pitch once he made it around the bags.

Fresno State answered back in the home half of the third as the bats picked up. The 'Dogs tallied four of their eight hits in the third. Thimjon led off with a base hit to third base, but was caught in a double play. With two outs, junior catcher Carter Bins, redshirt sophomore shortstop JT Arruda and senior third baseman McCarthy Tatum each singled, with Tatum giving the go-ahead knock to score Bins and tie the game at one apiece.

San Jose State scored their game-winning run in the top of the fourth, sparked by a base hit from Mendoza. Mendoza would come around to score on a Buldog error for the second time.

The Bulldog offense was dismal from then on as the Spartan starter held them off for seven complete innings.

Mitchell's night finished after six complete, giving up two hits and striking out five. The 'Dogs brought out redshirt freshman Kevin Larson for the seventh. After giving up a hit and walking two, Larson settled down and got a big strikeout to get out of the bases-loaded jam and keep the Spartans off the board.

Sophomore Jaime Arias threw the final two innings, charted a pair of strikeouts and kept the Spartans off the board for the rest of the game.

San Jose State brought in their closer, Fineas Bonta-Smith, in the eighth but the Bulldogs could not make their way around the bases to score the tying or game-winning run.

Notable

Senior center fielder Zach Ashford extended his hitting streak to seven games and has now reached base in all 16 games this season.
Nikoh Mitchell threw a season-high six complete innings and gave up a season-low two hits.
Nate Thimjon knocked a season-high three hits.

Up Next
Game three of the series with San Jose State will be tomorrow with a first pitch slated for 1:05 p.m. PT at Pete Beiden Field. The Bulldogs will look for the series win and a chance to even their Mountain West record.

"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