FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State baseball team blew past conference-leading New Mexico in the series opener on Friday night at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
With the 12-5 win, the Diamond 'Dogs are now tied for the top of the conference with 6-4 record, 13-16 overall.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After knocking down the Lobos in order in the opening frame, the Bulldogs led off the first with back-to-back walks. Murf Gray singled to the second baseman to quickly load the bases in three plate appearances. Justin Stransky capitalized on the early opportunity and sent two runs home with a stand-up double to left-center field. Griffen Sotomayor continued the early scoring and sent home the third run of the inning, giving the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.
Sotomayor extended the lead in the third inning with an RBI double to left field that plated Stransky.
A solo home run in the fourth put the Lobos on the board for the first time before Bulldog starting pitcher Jack Anker closed the frame with his seventh strikeout of the night. New Mexico erased its deficit in the top of the fifth inning, hitting a two-run homer to right field and a double down the right line to score three.
The Bulldogs answered in the bottom of the fourth fifth with a four-run inning to double their score. Cam Schneider hit a bases-loaded double and advanced to third on a throwing error to drive in three RBIs. Sky Collins sent Schneider home with a single through the left side and the 'Dogs ended the inning with an 8-4 lead.
Fresno State tallied three more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs, Bobby Blandford, BJ Rodriguez and Collins loaded the bases. Cayden Munster drove in Blandford and Rodriguez with a single to centerfield, and Collins stole home to close out the frame.
Both teams added a final run in the eighth, with a solo home run from the Lobos and a sacrifice fly from Murf Gray to finalize the score at 12-5 in favor of the Bulldogs.
NOTES
Jack Anker pitched a career-high 11 strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work.
The Lobos utilized only one relief pitcher, Drew Townson, compared to the Lobos' four relief pitchers.
With a 6-4 MW record, the Bulldogs are now tied with New Mexico for the top spot in the conference.
UP NEXT
The Diamond 'Dogs will continue the series against the Lobos on Saturday as Fresno State celebrates Bob Bennett Day at the ballpark with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 p.m. PT