“These fans, they bring it every single game. They show up no matter what, whether it’s 115 or if it’s 60 degrees. They’re always there fighting for us.”
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By Al Scott
The Diamond ‘Dogs (26-26) gave the Red Wave a night to remember in the final home game of the season, defeating Pacific 10-0 on Tuesday night (7 innings) at Bob Bennett Stadium.
Jett Ruby went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs, a double and five runs batted in, including a three-run home run. His roommate Murf Gray continued to climb up the all-time home run leaderboards with a big night as well.
The pitching staff also was on point, striking out 11 in seven shutout innings.
Fresno State finishes the home slate of the 2025 season with an 18-10 record.
“These fans, they bring it every single game. They show up no matter what, whether it’s 115 or if it’s 60 degrees. They’re always there fighting for us,” Ruby said.
What happened
Freshman Jared Galang got a 1-2-3 inning to open up the game. In the bottom of the frame, Gray homered over the left field wall. It brought him to 32 for his career, tying Pete Dalena (1981-82) and Zach Presno (2018-21) for the ninth most in program history.
Galang followed the first with another pair of scoreless innings in the second and third frames. He finished the day allowing just two singles with four strikeouts, holding the Tigers without a run.
Both Sky Collins (via error) and Griffin Sotomayor (walk) reached base in the third inning, setting up Ruby who fell behind 0-2 but turned on a fastball sending it over the right field fence, and into the Tigers bullpen. It not only gave the ‘Dogs a 4-0 lead, it marked Ruby’s first collegiate home run.
It was a career day for the Buchanan alum, now a redshirt sophomore at Fresno State.
“It’s an awesome moment,” Ruby said. “To do it in front of family is something you just can’t draw up any better.”
One guy that was not surprised by Ruby’s big night was his fellow teammate/roomate.
“Jett works as hard as anyone else out here. He doesn’t complain. He shows up ready to work and it shows,” Gray said.
Vance Haskins came into the game in relief and fired off a pair of scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth. Sotomayor led off the bottom of the inning with an infield single. Ruby followed it up with a double to left center, scoring Sotomayor.
Gray followed it up with his second blast of the night and 15th of the season, a two-run homer over the left field wall to give the ‘Dogs a 7-0 lead. It ties him with Greg Funk (1980-83) for the 8th most in program history.
Per Fresno State broadcaster Paul Loeffler, Gray’s 15 home runs this season are the most by a Bulldog since 2011 when Dusty Robinson hit 16 big flies.
“He’s a special person. He’s just a joy to work with every day. Ever since he came to us, he’s been humble and ready to work. The stuff he does as a player is obviously special, but he’s just such a special person,” Head Coach Ryan Overland said.
Haskins gave the Bulldogs a 1-2-3 sixth inning. He joined Galang, throwing three shutout frames with four strikeouts.
“Both of these guys do a really good job of keeping it simple and keeping the ball down, attacking their hitters,” Overland said.
Overland added that he was impressed with their ability to attack hitters, while limiting free bases.
A Sotomayor RBI double gave Fresno State an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth. Ruby brought him around to score with a single to center. His fifth RBI of the evening made it 9-0.
With senior Eddie Salidvar graduating, Ruby’s performance on Tuesday served as a potential foreshadowing for the 2026 campaign.
“We sure hope so. He’s such a big part of this team, even though it doesn’t really show up in the box score. You love to see guys like that get rewarded,” Overland said.
Hayden Crews struck out three in a scoreless seventh inning. With two on in the bottom half, Collins doubled to left, scoring Owen Faust to run-rule the Tigers in 7 innings.
After the game, as with every game for the last three seasons, a bevy of kids waited patiently for their chance to speak to the Fresno State star third baseman, chanting “We want Murf! We Want Murf!”
Gray likely played his last game at Bob Bennett Stadium on Tuesday as he, along with a few of his teammates, should be hearing their name called in the MLB draft next month.
Murf reflected on his time and expressed gratitude for not only his family, but the impact of the Red Wave as a community.
“Seeing my family with tears in their eyes, it just kind of shows the influence this program had on me, not only Fresno State, the whole valley,” Gray said.
What’s next
The Bulldogs travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico this weekend for a pivotal matchup with the Lobos. The Diamond ‘Dogs swept them in early April, outscoring New Mexico 36-15.
“It’ll be a completely different animal. You got to play every single pitch. Every single out is extremely important. You can’t give away extra outs,” Overland said. “You got to keep scoring. Score, score and then score some more.”
The Bulldogs defeated New Mexico 23-19 during the second game in Albuquerque last season, in what was an absolute slugfest.
Fresno State will need to win at least two of the three games in the series in order to secure a top two seed and a first round bye in the Mountain West Conference tournament. Winning the series would also mean a winning record during the regular season for the Bulldogs.
Cover photo provided by Fresno State.