The Fresno State Bulldogs’ hopes of back-to-back conference titles are still alive with Friday night’s extra-inning win.
The No. 2 seed Diamond ‘Dogs took down the No. 1 seed University of Nevada, Reno 12-7, outlasting the Wolfpack in the 14 inning affair.
Conference Pitcher of the Year Aidan Cremarosa took the mound, going 6.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out eight Wolfpack batters. Cremarosa was one of five pitchers used for the Bulldogs in what turned out to be the second-longest game in tournament history.
Right fielder Bobby Blandford led the team in hits, going 5-for-8 with a double, two RBIs and a stolen base.
Third baseman and Tony Gwynn Conference Player of the Year Murf Gray went 2-for-4 with two intentional walks and five RBIs, with three of them coming off his go-ahead double in the bottom of the 14th inning.
The Bulldogs took a one run lead in the top of the second inning, adding five more on the board over the next four innings. Nevada answered with one run in the bottom of the fourth and three more in the bottom of the seventh.
Fresno State was in control of the lead for most of the game, until the ninth inning.
Right fielder Bobby Blandford added an insurance run for the ‘Dogs with an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning, giving Fresno State a three run lead.
Disaster struck for the Diamond ‘Dogs in the bottom of the ninth when the Wolfpack rattled off three runs off of three singles and back-to-back walks, tying the game at 7 apiece.
In the 10th inning, both teams had multiple base runners but couldn’t get anyone home, forcing the game into the 11th inning.
After a quick 11th frame, the ‘Dogs found themselves with bases loaded and two outs with catcher Justin Stransky up to bat. Stransky ended the inning, lining out to the third baseman and stranding the three base runners. Three quick groundouts from the Wolfpack in the bottom half of the inning sent the game to the top of the 13th inning.
It wasn’t until the top of the 14th inning that the Bulldogs erupted for five runs.
With the bases loaded and no outs, Gray stood up to the plate looking to send his team to the title game, similar to what he did to send last year’s squad to the championship game.
Gray roped a double down the left field line, scoring all three base runners to take a 10-7 lead.
The ‘Dogs weren’t finished there. Blandford drove in Gray with an RBI single, his fifth hit of the game, adding to the Bulldogs’ lead. Lee Trevino added one more insurance run with his two out RBI single to give Fresno State a 12-7 lead.
Freshman pitcher Tyler Patrick took the mound for the third straight inning and forced a foul out to close out the ball game in the 14th inning.
With Friday’s win, the Bulldogs head to the championship game on Saturday, May 24, with the first pitch set for 12:05 p.m. The ‘Dogs need just one win to secure their second straight Mountain West title.
As for Nevada, they are set to play the No. 6 seed San Jose State Spartans, who Fresno State beat on Thursday, to determine who will face the ‘Dogs on Saturday. Whichever team Fresno State plays will need to win both games in order to prevent the defending champs from winning back-to-back titles.
