In the midst of Fresno State's continuous celebration of runs while blowing out Butler 17-2 on Sunday, the Bulldogs coaching staff pulled aside starting pitcher William Munro for a serious discussion.

The 6-foot-4 freshman Munro had gotten into trouble in the fourth inning after allowing a single and a walk to start off the frame. He managed to get out of the inning unscathed despite later allowing another walk and throwing a wild pitch.

Still, coach Mike Batesole and pitching coach Steve Rousey were concerned about Munro's mental toughness and whether he could shake off the taxing inning and keep pitching at a high level.

"How many times have you seen where a guy has to really grind to get through an inning, then he comes out the next inning and gets bombed?" Batesole said. "That's exactly why we took him down [in the clubhouse] after the fourth inning, and told him 'If you want to be a starting pitcher in this program, that doesn't happen to you. That happens to all the average guys. If you want to be different, if you want to be able to pitch on the weekend, you go out there again, and get you a zero this next inning.' "

Munro did just that, throwing a scoreless fifth before ending his day with five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts en route to a win in his first college appearance.

Munro's outing marked the third time in this four-game series against Butler that Fresno State's starting pitcher did not allow a single run. Fresno State (3-1) also received 7 2/3 scoreless innings and 13 strikeouts from Tyler Linehan in its 3-0 win in the season opener Friday, and Tom Harlan threw a shutout and struck out eight in a 6-0 win during Saturday's doubleheader nightcap.

Their outings this weekend should provide a little comfort to Batesole and Rousey after entering the season concerned how to replace their top two pitchers and closer from last season.

"I was very proud of him," said Batesole of Munro. "That was probably the most important thing that happened for us this entire weekend -- to see Munro do what he did. That was fantastic."

There were plenty of positives in the series finale against Butler.

No. 3 hitter Aaron Judge showed up early to the ballpark for additional batting practice, and the extra swings paid off with a 2-for-4 day at the plate with a run and two RBIs. The sophomore had gone 2 for 9 with two RBIs in his first three games combined. Judge's shot to shallow center during the fourth inning might have been the loudest applause from Fresno State fans as he managed to circle the bases during the at-bat following a stretch of wild throws to and from home plate by Butler's outfielders and catcher.

Senior Trent Garrison, meanwhile, showed he could handle playing three games in two days and went 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI. He's been recovering from a knee injury that forced him to miss all of last season.

"There was some question how I'd feel the day after a doubleheader, but I'm feeling great," said Garrison, who caught 10 innings over the weekend and was used as the designated hitter Sunday.

In addition, Fresno State's freshman starting trio of shortstop Chris Mariscal, right fielder Jordan Luplow and first baseman Jordan Brink combined to go 5 for 14 with four runs and five RBIs.

Mariscal (Clovis North) shined all weekend with his smooth defense. He also provided the biggest hit Sunday with a bases-loaded triple during Fresno State's five-run third inning. He finished 3 for 5 with two runs and three RBIs.

After six innings, Fresno State led 14-0 and subbed in its reserves. By the end of the game, the Bulldogs used 22 players, including five pitchers.

"This was fun to be a part of," Munro said. "I knew when I signed with Fresno State that I was joining something that was special."

Up next

Wednesday: Fresno State at Cal State Bakersfield, 6 p.m.

To view more photos: A photo gallery from Sunday's game can be seen at fresnobee.com/picturethis