Bulldogs top UCR, 5-3 in opener

Friday, February 18

Fresno, CA

6:05 P.M. PT

Fresno State

1-0

UC Riverside

0-1

UC Riverside

Fresno State

Photo by: Khon Saysamongdy

Bulldogs top UCR, 5-3 in opener

2/18/2022 10:35:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Travis Blanshan / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. - For the 14th straight season, the Diamond 'Dogs won their season opener on Friday night coming from behind to defeat UC Riverside, 5-3 at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.

Opening the 100th season of Bulldog baseball, Fresno State used a three-run bottom of the seventh to rally from a 3-2 deficit and 4.1 shutout innings from its bullpen to secure the victory.

Preseason All-Mountain West selection Zach Morgan had a single and double while newcomer Travis Welker belted a two-run RBI single in his first career at-bat ending the contest with two hits and a run scored.

Junior southpaw Jake Dixon got the start of the mound tossing 4.2 innings before giving way to the trio of Trevor Garcia, Robbie Peters and Zach Statzer.

Peters picked up his second career win getting the final out of the seventh inning with a strikeout while newcomers Garcia and Statzer each threw two innings and combined for six strikeouts allowing only one hit.

How It Happened
The Highlanders got on the board first with a sacrifice fly in the second inning, but the 'Dogs quickly responded with Welker's base knock back up the middle that drove in Nate Thimjon and Vinny Bologna.

Another sacrifice fly by UCR in the third tied the game at two apiece and an error by the 'Dogs in the seventh allowed the Highlanders to take a 3-2 lead.

The visitors lead did not last long as the 'Dogs quickly answered back with three runs. Welker again found the middle of the field with a one-out single followed by a triple to center field by Josh Lauck to tie the game.

A double steal by Andrew Kachel and Lauck gave the 'Dogs the eventual game-winning run and a throwing error by the Highlanders' catcher allowed Kachel to score to make it 5-3.

Statzer retired six of the seven batters he faced in the eighth and ninth to pick up his first save as a Bulldog.

Notables

Welker, Garcia, Statzer and Payton Allen all made their Bulldog debuts.
Lauck notched his first career triple as a Bulldog.
All four Bulldog pitchers struck out at least one batter.
The Highlanders were held to four singles.

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