The Bulldogs snatched a late lead but still fell short 5-4 to Sacramento State Wednesday night in an 11-inning nonconference game at Raley Field. Ӭ

The ‘Dogs scored all of their runs in the eighth inning, where they took a 4-2 lead but managed to squander the lead in the ninth inning.

The match was scoreless for the first six and a half innings before Sacramento State opened things up in the seventh inning with the first run of the game. The Hornets scored on a fielder’s choice after leading off the frame with a pair of singles.

With the Hornets up one, the Bulldogs rallied in the eighth inning which started with Korby Batesole being walked. Moments later, Zach Ashford tied the game at one apiece with a single to right field which scored Batesole. Kevin Viers then reached base after a right-field hit for a two-base error which allowed Ashford to score and give the ‘Dogs a 2-1 advantage. The ‘Dogs continued the momentum as a bunt by Jake Stone allowed another run, and Viers later scored on a wild pitch to put Fresno State up 4-2.

The Bulldogs were unable to hold the lead as the Hornets scored an unearned run in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly after the runner reached base following a Fresno State error.

Junior second baseman Ryan Dobson bunted a single to put two Bulldogs on base for Viers. Viers then crushed a ball past the Hornets’ first baseman for an error, allowing Ashford to score from second and move Dobson to third. Stone followed with an RBI sacrifice bunt to score Dobson and Viers came home to score on a wild pitch to cap the ‘Dogs lone scoring inning of the game.

In the 10th inning, Dobson crushed a single but the next six ‘Dogs were retired as Fresno State was unable to rally in either of the extra innings.

With the Bulldogs retiring the Hornets in order in the 10th inning, the ‘Dogs turned to pitcher Mark Reece in the 11th. With two outs and a 2-2 count, catcher Gunner Pollman came through for the Hornets with an infield single to score teammate Chris Lewis and give the Hornets the 5-4 win.

Notes

-It was only the second game this season the ‘Dogs have failed to score a run before the fifth inning. The only other instance was on April 8 at New Mexico when the ‘Dogs lone run came in the ninth inning.
-The Bulldogs fall to 1-5 in extra-inning games and 8-9 in one-run games.
-It was only the second loss of the season for the ‘Dogs when leading after eight innings.
-The five errors committed by the Bulldogs were a season-high.
-It was the sixth time this season that the ‘Dogs have only scored in one inning.