Fresno State Athletics
Friday, February 14
Fresno, CA
6:05 PM
Fresno State
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UC Irvine
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UC Irvine
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Fresno State
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Photo by: Kiel Maddox
Home runs power 'Dogs over UCI, 3-1
2/14/2020 9:45:00 PM | Baseball
FRESNO, Calif. - Behind a pair of home runs and a six-inning, three-hit performance by starting pitcher Jaime Arias, the Diamond 'Dogs won their season opener over UC Irvine, 3-1 on Friday evening at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
Fresno State (1-0), who won its season opener for a 12th straight season, scored all three of its runs off home runs, but were held to only four hits in the contest.
Junior outfielder Nate Thimjon hit a solo home run in the fourth inning while sophomore infielder Jeff Jamison smacked a two-run bomb in the fifth inning.
On the mound, Arias tossed six innings only allowing three singles, one earned run, one walk while striking out three. Three 'Dogs worked one inning apiece in relief as senior Nik Cardinal, redshirt senior Ryan Sullivan and redshirt sophomore Kevin Larson combined to hold UC Irvine (0-1) to two hits while striking out four.
How It Happened
With the Bulldogs facing UC Irvine All-American pitcher Trenton Denholm, the first three innings were scoreless before the Anteaters broke through in the top of the fourth with a RBI single to left field by center fielder Mike Peabody to put UCI ahead 1-0.
That would be the lone run of the contest for the Anteaters as the 'Dogs scored the final three runs answering back with Thimjon's solo shot down the left field line in the fourth (watch) and went ahead with Jamison's two-run blast to left field (watch) one inning later.
UC Irvine did threaten to tie the game in the ninth inning sending the tying run to the plate with one one out, but Larson was able to get catcher Griffin Mazur to strike out and first baseman Andre Antone to fly out to center field to strand a runner at third base and complete his first career save (watch).
Notables
Head Coach Mike Batesole
On facing UC Irvine All-American pitcher Trenton Denholm....
"He is the Big West Pitcher of the Year and an All-American. He is going to pitch in the big leagues at some point and anytime you can get runs off someone like that, you got to fight it out."
On the bullpen coming into the game with three shutout innings....
"That was the highlight of the game was Larson coming into the game and answering after his last outing at Stanford in the NCAA Tournament. He went into that outing with the lowest ERA on the team and it obviously did not go the way we wanted it to, but the first biggest moment of the year was going to be his. That will go a long way for his confidence with what happened tonight."
Up next
The Bulldogs and Anteaters play game two of the three-game series on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
2020 season tickets and single-game tickets on sale
Season tickets for the 2020 baseball season are on-sale now starting at just $199 for adults, and $99 for youth for the Bulldogs' 28-game home schedule. Single-game tickets are also on-sale now, starting at $10 for adults and $5 for youth, including home games vs. Washington and Stanford. Fresno State opens the 2020 season on Friday against UC Irvine.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram:Â fresnostateathletics
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Fresno State (1-0), who won its season opener for a 12th straight season, scored all three of its runs off home runs, but were held to only four hits in the contest.
Junior outfielder Nate Thimjon hit a solo home run in the fourth inning while sophomore infielder Jeff Jamison smacked a two-run bomb in the fifth inning.
On the mound, Arias tossed six innings only allowing three singles, one earned run, one walk while striking out three. Three 'Dogs worked one inning apiece in relief as senior Nik Cardinal, redshirt senior Ryan Sullivan and redshirt sophomore Kevin Larson combined to hold UC Irvine (0-1) to two hits while striking out four.
How It Happened
With the Bulldogs facing UC Irvine All-American pitcher Trenton Denholm, the first three innings were scoreless before the Anteaters broke through in the top of the fourth with a RBI single to left field by center fielder Mike Peabody to put UCI ahead 1-0.
That would be the lone run of the contest for the Anteaters as the 'Dogs scored the final three runs answering back with Thimjon's solo shot down the left field line in the fourth (watch) and went ahead with Jamison's two-run blast to left field (watch) one inning later.
UC Irvine did threaten to tie the game in the ninth inning sending the tying run to the plate with one one out, but Larson was able to get catcher Griffin Mazur to strike out and first baseman Andre Antone to fly out to center field to strand a runner at third base and complete his first career save (watch).
Notables
- Fresno State improves to 14-4 in season openers under Coach Batesole while winning its 12th straight.
- The 'Dogs are now 13-5 in home openers under Batesole while also winning their 12th straight home opener.
- The Bulldogs won their fourth straight game over UC Irvine.
- Thimjon hit his eighth career home run while it was Jamison's first.
- Arias picked up his seventh career win.
- Larson notched his first career save.
- Ivan Luna, Zach Morgan and Andrew Kachel all made their debut in a Bulldog uniform as Kachel and Morgan each collected singles.
Head Coach Mike Batesole
On facing UC Irvine All-American pitcher Trenton Denholm....
"He is the Big West Pitcher of the Year and an All-American. He is going to pitch in the big leagues at some point and anytime you can get runs off someone like that, you got to fight it out."
On the bullpen coming into the game with three shutout innings....
"That was the highlight of the game was Larson coming into the game and answering after his last outing at Stanford in the NCAA Tournament. He went into that outing with the lowest ERA on the team and it obviously did not go the way we wanted it to, but the first biggest moment of the year was going to be his. That will go a long way for his confidence with what happened tonight."
Up next
The Bulldogs and Anteaters play game two of the three-game series on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
2020 season tickets and single-game tickets on sale
Season tickets for the 2020 baseball season are on-sale now starting at just $199 for adults, and $99 for youth for the Bulldogs' 28-game home schedule. Single-game tickets are also on-sale now, starting at $10 for adults and $5 for youth, including home games vs. Washington and Stanford. Fresno State opens the 2020 season on Friday against UC Irvine.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram:Â fresnostateathletics
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Arias, Jaime (1-0)
L: Denholm, Trenton (0-1)
S: Larson, Kevin (1)
Batting:
RBI: Peabody, Mike 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Church, Nathan 1
SB: Church, Nathan 1
PO: Church, Nathan 1
Batting:
HR: Thimjon, Nate 1 ; Jamison, Jeff 1
RBI: Thimjon, Nate 1 ; Jamison, Jeff 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Thimjon, Nate 1 ; Kachel, Andrew 1 ; Jamison, Jeff 1
HBP: Thimjon, Nate 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
ph/1b
AB
1
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
Pitcher
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ BaseballInfield
/ BaseballInfield
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ Baseball
Catcher
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ BaseballOutfield
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