Baseball loses two consecutive games in San Jose State series

Murf+Gray+bats+for+the+Bulldogs+in+the+last+home+games+against+San+Francisco.+

Valentina Saldaña/The Collegian

Murf Gray bats for the Bulldogs in the last home games against San Francisco.

By Dylan Gonzales, Reporter

Fresno State baseball came into last weekend’s series against San Jose State having won four of its past five games.

However, the ‘Dogs lost both games against the Spartans as they struggled offensively with runners in scoring position. The Bulldogs hit just .190 in those situations compared with a .333 average by the Spartans.

With these two losses, Fresno State’s record dropped to 5-5 and 0-2 in the Mountain West.

Fresno State 4, San Jose State 5 (March 3)

The ‘Dogs scored in the top of the first inning when Ben Newton was able to cross the plate on a double-play hit by Grady Morgan.

Morgan then gave the ‘Dogs a 2-0 lead in the top of the third with an RBI single that scored Nikoh Mitchell.

The Spartans answered back in the bottom of the third with a two-run homer off of Bulldog pitcher Ixan Henderson.

Henderson gave up another long ball in the bottom of the fourth, which put the Spartans in front, 3-2.

Despite giving up the two homers, Henderson kept the ‘Dogs in the game, allowing only three runs while recording seven strikeouts.

Fresno State tied the score, 3-3, with a Tyler Davis RBI single in the top of the sixth inning.

The Spartans scored two runs off Bulldogs reliever Trevor Garcia in the bottom of the eighth, taking a 5-3 lead. San Jose State held on to the lead and added one more run, giving Garcia his first loss of the season.

The Bulldogs lost, 5-4.

Fresno State 2, San Jose State 6 (March 4)

The Bulldogs scored in the top of the first again when Tommy Hopfe crossed the plate on a San Jose State error.

But Bulldog pitcher Jake Dixon struggled to keep the Spartans off the board during his 4 2/3 innings pitched. Dixon gave up four runs and recorded his first loss of the season.

The Spartans tallied two more runs in the bottom of the seventh off of pitcher Jaykob Acosta.

The ‘Dogs were able to score in the top of the ninth on a solo homer by Davis. Although, it was too little too late as the Bulldogs dropped the second game 6-2 and fell to 5-5 on the season.

Fresno State hit just .083 with runners in scoring position compared with the Spartans hitting .444

Game 3: POSTPONED

The series was supposed to conclude on March 5.However, due to rain, the game was postponed until further notice.

The ‘Dogs will take the field on March 7 against Pacific at Pete Beiden Field in Bob Bennett Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.