The Diamond ‘Dogs are the Mountain West champions for the third time since 2019.
The No. 2 seed Fresno State Bulldogs took down the No. 6 San Jose State Spartans in the championship game for the second straight year. Fresno State is now the first team since San Diego State in 2017-18 to be repeat champions
The Bulldogs attacked early and often, never wavering in the 9-1 game.
Senior pitcher Bryce Armstrong got the start, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing just one run.
Tony Gwynn Player of the Year Murf Gray continued his successful 2025 campaign with a 1-for-3 afternoon with two walks, including his 18th home run of the season.
With the Mountain West title, the Bulldogs now head to the NCAA tournament for the 37th time in program history.
How it happened
Armstrong opened the game for the Bulldogs, forcing three quick outs after walking the first batter he faced.
The Diamond ‘Dogs came up for their first at-bats of the game looking to strike first.
First baseman Griffen Sotomayor stepped up to the plate and doubled down the left field line.
After two quick outs, right fielder Bobby Blandford drove in Sotomayor with an RBI double, putting the ‘Dogs on the board first.
With runners at first and second following a walk, shortstop Lee Trevino singled up the middle, giving Fresno State a 2-0 lead.
The Bulldogs added another run in the bottom of the third inning off a solo home run from second baseman Eddie Saldivar. This was Saldivar’s third home run of the season and first of the tournament.
Through three innings, Armstrong allowed just two base runners on a walk and a hit by pitch. San Jose State third baseman Zach Chamizo had the Spartans’ first hit of the ball game with a two-out double in the top of the fourth inning.
Unfazed by the runner in scoring position, Armstrong struck out the next batter looking with a curveball.
The Diamond ‘Dogs blew the game wide open in the bottom of the fourth, scoring four runs on four hits. Sotomayor started the scoring with an RBI single, followed by Saldivar’s double.
With runners at second and third, third baseman Gray took the first pitch he saw deep to left center field. Gray’s three-run home run gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.
Similar to the fourth inning, Armstrong remained composed and utilized the off-speed pitch, striking out three batters in the inning.
The ‘Dogs tacked on two more runs on four hits in the bottom half of the inning, thanks to RBI singles from both left fielder Cam Schneider and Sotomayor.
Armstrong faced his first bit of adversity in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on second base, Chamizo hit a ground ball that got by Saldivar, giving the Spartans their first run of the game.
Following the single, Armstrong’s day was over, having pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out eight Spartan batters.
Pitcher BJ Rodriguez finished the inning, forcing a fly out, with the ‘Dogs now up 7-1.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, center fielder Sky Collins sustained a left leg injury while sliding into second base. Following the play, the game was put on hold for an extended injury delay as the medical staff tended to the senior. Collins was eventually stretchered off the field.
After the 20-minute delay, both teams began warming up to get set for the final two frames of the game.
Pitcher Cooper Bergman closed out the game for the Bulldogs, forcing back-to-back shutout innings. A fly out to Blandford ignited the crowd as the ‘Dogs came together in the infield to start the celebration.
The Bulldogs won the Mountain West title, 9-1.
