By Al Scott
22 runs, 32 hits and 10 home runs in 10 innings in front of one of the biggest crowds (2,230 people) of the season. Fans at Bob Bennett Stadium on Friday were treated to quite a game.
The Diamond ‘Dogs hit six home runs, including two from catcher Justin Stransky (4 this week) and one from third baseman Murf Gray, who has hit a dinger in five straight games in conference.
Unfortunately for Fresno State (24-25, 15-10), it was not enough as the Bulldogs came out on the short end in game one in the Bulldogs three game series against rival San Jose State as the Spartans won 12-10 in extra innings.
“It’s only Friday,” Bobby Blandford said after the game.
Fortunately for the Bulldogs right fielder and his team, both Nevada and New Mexico lost, meaning the ‘Dogs are still tied for first place in the Mountain West with five games remaining in conference.
What happened?
The Spartans got to Bulldog starter Jack Anker early, thanks to a two-run double in the right center gap from Zach Chamizo. The ‘Dogs answered right back with a pair of solo shots from Griffin Sotomayor and Justin Stransky to make it 2-2.
Deja vu in the second as the Spartans jumped out to a 4-2 lead on a two-run double in nearly the same spot, this time from Alex Fernandes. Again, Fresno State responded. Sky Collins tied the game with a two-run blast over the left field wall.
The Spartans got solo homers in the next two innings from Jake McCoy and Fernandes. They would add on two additional runs in the fifth, chasing Anker from the game with an 8-2 deficit.
The Bulldogs tied the game in the sixth inning when they put up four runs, including home runs from both Stransky (his second of the game) and Blandford.
Gray came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh and hit an absolute moonshot, for the Bulldogs 6th homer of the night. Cayden Munster made it 10-8 Fresno State in the 8th with an important insurance run with an RBI single to center, scoring Jacob Pappas.
After the Bulldogs held them scoreless for three straight innings, the Spartans tied the game in the top of the ninth with a pair of homers from Jeriah Lewis and Neil Jansen off of BJ Rodriguez. Caleb Anderson came in to get the final out of the inning.
The Bulldogs sent their two-through-four hitters up to the plate hoping to walk it off in the ninth. Saldivar led off the frame with a single but a Gray double play ended the rally. San Jose State got Stransky to ground out as well to send the game to extras.
The Spartans used back to back hits in the 10th, a single from Fernandes and an RBI triple from Chamizo to take the lead. A bases loaded hit-by-pitch made it 12-10 before Anderson stopped the bleeding.
Fernandes went 5-for-6 with three runs scored, a double, a home run and four runs driven in to lead the way for San Jose State.
With two on and two outs in the bottom half of the inning, Tyler Albanese got Collins to strike out swinging to end the game.
What’s next
Fresno State will host the Spartans tomorrow afternoon for game 2 of the final home conference series of the season for the Bulldogs. Aidan Cremarosa will be on the mound with first pitch starting at 3:05 p.m.