Bulldogs drop opener to Michigan, 6-2

Friday, February 17

Mesa, Ariz.

11 A.M. PT

Fresno State

0-1

Michigan

1-0

Michigan

Fresno State

Photo by: Melina Kazanjian

Bulldogs drop opener to Michigan, 6-2

2/17/2023 3:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Travis Blanshan / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

MESA, Ariz. - The Fresno State baseball team got the 2023 season underway on Friday afternoon falling to Michigan, 6-2 at Sloan Park in the MLB Desert Invitational.

Fresno State (0-1), who dropped its season opener for the first time since 2008, totaled seven hits, including three from newcomer Grady Morgan.

Michael McKernan and Tommy Hopfe each added doubles with Marco Pirruccello and Bobby Blandford notching singles.

On the mound, preseason All-Mountain West selection Ixan Henderson tossed 3.1 innings striking out eight while allowing four hits and three earned runs.

Zach Statzer, Jack Anker and Jaykob Acosta rounded out the bullpen efforts with Anker, a freshman from Tulare, throwing 4.2 innings.

How It Happened
The Bulldogs got the scoring started with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning scoring a run on an RBI double by McKernan followed by Ben Newton taking advantage of a throwing error by Michigan's third baseman that allowed Murf Gray to score after reaching base on another Wolverine error.

That was as much scoring as the Diamond 'Dogs could muster on the afternoon as Michigan answered back with a run in the third and took a 3-2 lead in the fourth on a solo home run and an RBI single.

Michigan added a pair of solo home runs and an RBI single in the ninth for the final margin.

Game Notes

Morgan, Gray, McKernan, Anker and Acosta all made their Bulldog debuts.
Fresno State saw its winning streak in season openers end at 14 with its first loss in a season opener since 2008 (Feb. 22 vs. UC Davis).
It was the 'Dogs first game against Michigan since 1992 and first loss to the Wolverines since 1989.

Up next
The Bulldogs return to the field for the second day of the MLB Desert Invitational on Saturday taking on Arizona at 12 p.m. PT at Sloan Park.

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