April 30, 2008

Final Stats

(San Francisco, CA) - San Francisco took an exciting ninth inning walk-off win, 7-6 over Fresno State on Wednesday at Benedetti Diamond. The Dons (26-20) scored on a throwing error by Bulldogs (26-21) pitcher Justin Miller and earn the series win 2-1.

Tied 6-6 with one out in the bottom of the ninth, senior first baseman/RHP Mitchell Bialosky singled up the middle and moved to second when freshman first baseman Stephen Yarrow singled to left. Sophomore third baseman Derek Poppert hit a come-backer to Miller, who turned to throw out Yarrow at second. His throw sailed into center, allowing Bialosky to scamper home and give the Dons the 7-6 win.

Fresno State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after three, but the Dons tied it up by plating two in the third. With bases loaded, senior right fielder Kyle Morgan grounded into a double play. Senior shortstop Tavo Hall, who had singled to start the frame, was able to score on the play. Then Bialosky smacked an RBI single down the left field line, scoring senior second baseman Joey Railey, who had singled earlier.

Bulldogs' sophomore third baseman Tommy Mendonca homered to right field to give Fresno State the 3-2 lead in the fourth. USF tied the game again in the fifth when Hall was hit by a pitch, and scored on Railey's double down the right field line.

USF took a 6-3 lead with a three run seventh. With junior left fielder Zach Kim and Hall on base, Railey singled through the right side, plating Kim. Hall moved to second on the play and when trying to steal third on the next batter, confusion set in. In what many thought was a foul ball off the bat of freshman center fielder Connor Bernatz, Hall stopped short of third base and was tagged by Mendonca. Hall was called out and Railey advanced to second on the play. Fresno State's coaches were not happy with the call that Railey could stay at second base and proceeded to play the rest of the game under protest. Bernatz singled before Morgan scored Railey on a deep sacrifice fly to center. Bialosky then singled to right center, scoring Bernatz.

Fresno State got one back quickly in the eighth, before tying it in the ninth with help from a very questionable call. With runners on first and second and one out, Mendonca dribbled a ball to first and Yarrow threw to Hall at second base to get the runner on a force play. However, Bulldogs sophomore first baseman Alan Ahmady was called safe and he advanced to third on Hall's errant throw to first. Junior second baseman Eric Wetzel, who had doubled to start the frame, scored on the play. Ahmady then scored on a sacrifice bunt by senior catcher Ryan Overland to make it 6-6.

Bialosky (4-5), earned the win, allowing three runs (one earned) off five hits, a walk and three strikeouts in 2.0 innings. Sophomore right-hander Alex Kalogrides took the no decision after allowing three earned runs off seven hits, no walks, and striking out five Bulldogs in 5.0 innings. Freshman left-hander Matt Lujan and senior left-hander Matt Baugh each threw a scoreless inning.

USF had another great offensive output, smashing 16 hits in the contest. Railey led the Dons with three hits, including his 12th double, two RBI and two runs scored. Railey now has 221 hits as a Don and is just three hits away from passing Pat Walsh (1997-00/223) for fifth place all time.

Bialosky also had three hits in the contest with an RBI and a run scored. Bernatz, Kim, and Hall each had a two hit night. Sophomore catcher Sam Wiley doubled, while sophomore catcher Ryan Lipkin, senior designated hitter Matt Lieb and Yarrow each singled.

Fresno State's Miller (6-1) earned his first loss of the season, allowing one unearned run off four hits and struck out one in 1.1 innings. Sophomore right-hander Sean Bonesteele started for the Bulldogs, allowing two earned runs off five hits, two walks, and two strikeouts in 4.0 innings. Ahmady led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

USF returns to action this weekend, traveling to Spokane, WA for a three game West Coast Conference set with Gonzaga. Friday's game will be a 6:30 PM first pitch, with Saturday's and Sunday's games beginning at 1:00 PM.