Fresno State baseball: Bulldogs fall in extra innings for second straight game
The way it’s been working out this season, Fresno State probably would rather skip any more overtime shifts.
The Bulldogs lost in extra innings for the second straight game, falling 5-4 in 11 innings Wednesday night at Sacramento State in nonconference action.
Mark Reece loaded the bases, setting up Gunner Pollman’s infield single that brought in the winning run with two outs. Fresno State shortstop Korby Batesole fielded the grounder, but failed in his attempt to get a forceout at second.
Fresno State (26-16) was coming off a 7-5 loss in 12 innings to San Jose State on Sunday. Wednesday’s result dropped the Bulldogs to 1-5 in extra inning games this season.
The Bulldogs seemed headed for victory after their offense, shut out the first seven innings, awoke in the eighth while scoring four runs on four hits.
But the bullpen failed in the clutch as coach Mike Batesole again elected to use a collection of pitchers to get through the game, as he did Sunday.
Six Fresno State pitchers took the mound.
With a 4-2 lead entering the ninth, Bulldogs freshman Rickey Ramirez had a chance to secure his third save of the season. Instead, he surrendered two runs.
Freshman Edgar Gonzalez, who got the start for the second consecutive game after allowing three runs in 1 2/3 innings Sunday, bounced back Wednesday by retiring the only six batters he faced.
Fresno State’s eighth-inning rally was sparked by Korby Batesole’s inning-opening walk, drawn on a full count.
One good bunt later (Fresno State entered the week leading the country with 57 sacrifice bunts on the year), No. 9 hitter Zach Ashford tied it with an RBI single.
Kevin Viers reached on a two-base error with Ashford scoring, making it 2-1.
Jake Stone’s bunt brought in another run, and Viers eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Up next
FRESNO STATE AT AIR FORCE
- Series: 2 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday-Sunday at Falcon Field in Colorado Springs, Colo.
- Records: Bulldogs (26-16, 14-7 Mountain West); Falcons (20-17, 9-10)
- Webcast/Radio: Mountain West Network (themwc.com)/KFIG (AM 940)
- Of note: Air Force is 10-2 at home this season, with the Falcons averaging 11.3 runs in Colorado Springs. Friday will mark Air Force’s first home game since April 10 after playing its past 12 on the road. … Air Force entered the week ranked ninth in the nation with a .319 average.
This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 10:41 PM with the headline "Fresno State baseball: Bulldogs fall in extra innings for second straight game."