Bulldogs behind the 8 ball

Fresno State closer Burke blows lead in disastrous eighth inning, forcing another do-or-die game for the 'Dogs.

Published online on Wednesday, Jun. 25, 2008

OMAHA, Neb. — The key to success in the championship round of the College World Series is outlasting your opponent.

When fatigue from an entire season begins to take its toll, when minor injuries start to become major, the team that knows how to grind it out typically prevails.

On Monday, Fresno State could not generate enough energy to finish things off, blowing a three-run lead in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to Georgia in the opening game of the best-of-three CWS championship series.

"That's what it's all about," Georgia coach David Perno said. "You have to hang in there. ... This is the time of year when everyone's bodies are aching and you have to figure out a way to survive."

Playing for the third straight day, Fresno State pushed through for 71/2 innings.

It turned to less-established pitchers who hadn't been counted on much to deliver in demanding situations.

It built what appeared to be a comfortable three-run lead in the eighth.

Then, it called upon its best reliever, Brandon Burke, and everything seemed aligned for Fresno State to take Game 1.

"You got a three-run lead, that's the guy you want there on the mound," Fresno State coach Mike Batesole said.

Burke, the jovial senior who had come through for Fresno State time after time in the postseason, was pitching for the second straight night.

He showed he was oblivious to stress the past four weeks.

But Monday, he showed he wasn't oblivious to wear and tear.

Fresno State's career saves leader was roughed up for four runs in the bottom of the eighth as a well-rested Georgia team took the lead and then command of the series.

Fresno State (45-31) now faces its fifth elimination game of the NCAA Tournament, playing Georgia (45-23-1) again at 4 p.m. today and in need of a win to force a deciding game Wednesday.

Georgia, the No. 8 national seed that had not played since Saturday in the tournament, remains undefeated through four CWS games.

Fresno State, which is 3-2 in the CWS, is in danger of having its improbable run fall just short of a national title.

"We thought it was a done deal with Burke coming in there, but things happen," Fresno State reliever Holden Sprague said. "That's baseball. We'll just have to bounce back."

Sprague, a potential starter for today's game, said Fresno State could use some rest to refresh its bullpen but added that its pitchers simply need to make it through.

"It's tough," Sprague said. "You can tell there's a little bit of a difference in both teams. ... [They] only played three games and we played four [entering Monday].

"But that doesn't really matter. It's like the ninth inning of just one game. We're just running on adrenaline."

In what has become the norm since his team became the first No. 4 regional seed to land in the CWS, Batesole declined to name his starting pitcher for today.

Instead, he said it likely would be another pitching-by-committee approach, which Fresno State was forced to use Monday.

Sophomore Sean Bonesteele got the start, his fourth of the year and first since May 6. Despite entering with a 6.75 ERA, Bonesteele, along with relievers Jake Floethe, Kris Tomlinson and Jason Breckley, were serviceable.

They combined to hold Georgia to three runs through seven innings.

Georgia, meanwhile, trotted out its No. 1 starter in Trevor Holder, who allowed three runs off four hits and three walks but made his biggest contribution by lasting seven innings.

His lengthy outing allowed Georgia to go to its frontline bullpen options Monday and, if needed, today, too.

But as soon as Holder left, Georgia reliever Alex McRee was abused as Fresno State broke a 3-3 tie with three runs in the eighth.

Then came the bottom of the eighth and Breckley to the mound. He allowed a single and was immediately yanked for Burke.

On an 0-1 fastball, Georgia's star and first-round draft pick Gordon Beckham blasted a two-run home run -- his nation-leading 27th of the season -- to cut Fresno State's lead to one and begin the pounding of Burke.

Following a Burke walk, Matt Cerione delivered an RBI double down the left-field line.

Then Cerione scored the go-ahead run when Joey Lewis nailed a double up the middle and sent Fresno State on the brink of elimination.

"We've been here before," outfielder Steve Detwiler said. "I know we'll do everything we can to come back. It'll be a dogfight."