The Fresno State baseball team jumped out to a 6-2 lead Tuesday night in San Luis Obispo, but the Cal Poly Mustangs roared back for a 10-6 win to end the Bulldogs’ two-game winning streak.
With senior pitcher Garrett Mundell starting on the mound for the Bulldogs, the Mustangs opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-out RBI single by Brett Barbier to score Mark Mathias.
But the Bulldogs erupted in the top of third. An RBI double from senior left fielder Taylor Tempel down the left-field line scored Korby Batesole and Brody Russell in the process. Moments later, an RBI single from junior catcher Taylor Ward to left field brought in Tempel. The ‘Dogs would add three more runs in the third to establishing a 5-1 lead early.
The Bulldogs’ 6-2 lead dwindled in the bottom of the sixth inning when the Mustangs’ RBI double brought around the two leadoff walks to close the gap to 6-4.
Right-hander Rickey Ramirez replaced senior pitcher William Munro in the sixth, but the Mustangs kept the momentum going, scoring five runs in the inning to take the lead for good.
With the Mustangs leading 9-6 in the bottom of the eighth inning, lefty Brennon Williams came in as the eighth pitcher of the game for Fresno State. Williams allowed one more run, and the Mustangs held the Bulldogs scoreless in the top of the ninth to close out the game.
With the win, the Mustangs extended their winning streak to five.
The loss drops the Bulldogs to 18-19 on the year.
The ‘Dogs came into Tuesday’s game after snapping a six-game losing streak on Saturday with a 14-10 win against Nevada, then winning Sunday’s game 3-1 to take the series win.
Fresno State’s next game is Friday in Colorado Springs, Colorado against Air Force.