“That was probably the craziest, most exciting game I’ve ever been a part of.”
By Al Scott
Calling Friday night in Mesa, Arizona the game of the year would be an understatement. After five hours and 14 innings, Fresno State outlasted Nevada 12-7.
Tyler Patrick picked up his first career win, throwing the final three innings for the Bulldogs without allowing a run. Needless to say, the freshman from Clovis West was excited.
“That was probably the craziest, most exciting game I’ve ever been a part of, just super juiced up. I mean, an amazing team win,” Patrick said. “This is awesome. I’m right where I want to be, and I couldn’t have dreamed of this. I mean, this is, it’s a true blessing.”
Fresno State is now just one win away from repeating as Mountain West Conference champions.
What happened
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, Fresno State loaded the bases in the top of the second for Cayden Munster. The redshirt freshman first baseman found the 5.5 hole on the left side of the infield to score Bobby Blandford. It was all the ‘Dogs would get though as Nevada starter Alessandro Castro got a strikeout to escape the jam.
Cam Schneider brought in a run on a sac fly the next inning to double the lead. Fresno State added two more runs in the fourth inning when Sky Collins tripled and scored on a wild pitch. Griffen Sotomayor followed it up with a double and scored via a sac fly from Murf Gray to make it 4-0.
Cremarosa didn’t have much trouble throughout the afternoon, though he did allow a solo shot to Nevada left fielder Taylor Holder over the center field wall.
The ‘Dogs added two more runs in the sixth inning, including an RBI double from Justin Stransky, making it 6-1. In the bottom half, Cremarosa allowed a one-out single. He proceeded to strike out both Bill Ham and Holder swinging to end the inning.
Cremarosa ran into trouble in the seventh, a pair of walks loaded the bases with one out for MW Freshman of the Year Sean Yamaguchi. The Wolf Pack third baseman laced an opposite field single, scoring a pair of runs to chase Cremarosa from the game.
Caleb Anderson came on in relief and allowed an RBI single plus a walk before Head Coach Ryan Overland called on Drew Townson. The hard throwing righty got a grounder for a double play. He stayed in the game to throw a scoreless eighth, striking out a pair of runners.
Blandford gave the Bulldogs an insurance run with an RBI double, it was needed. Nevada three in the ninth to send the game to extra innings.
JT Guerrero gave the ‘Dogs 2.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, including a pair of strikeouts. Patrick came on in relief and gave the ‘Dogs a scoreless 12th and 13th inning.
The next inning, a single, and two hit-by-pitches loaded the bases for Gray, who fell behind in the count 0-2, but delivered with a laser down the left field line scoring three runs.
“That guy’s a beast. I mean, he works harder than anybody, and it shows. I mean, Mountain West Player of the Year for a reason,” Patrick said.
A batter later, he came around to score on a single from Blandford. Lee Trevino then singled to right field to make it 12-7.
Patrick got the final three outs to the delight of the Red Wave. He credited his performance to his pitching coach and his defense. Overland was particularly pleased with his resilience.
“Toughness, phenomenal effort, especially in that moment to not to be too big, keep attacking their hitters. That’s a really good lineup to do that against,” Overland said.
Gray spoke after the game about the Bulldog mentality, relishing his time at Fresno State.
“It’s been the best three years of my life. These people are my brothers,” Gray said.
What’s next
Overland’s message to the Red Wave?
“Stay with us. It might be exciting. It might not be clean, but these guys are tough. They’re some Bulldogs,” Overland said.
Fresno State will have two opportunities on Saturday afternoon to win, the first game will begin at 12:05 p.m. with lefty Bryce Armstrong on the mound.
They will face the winner of San Jose State and Nevada, taking place late Friday night.
Cover photo provided by Fresno State.