Diamond 'Dogs sweep away Pilots in three
By Darrell Copeland III
The Collegian
The Fresno State baseball team had a serious case of the runs, Sunday — all 16 of them.
The Bulldogs’ number two and three hitters, Loren Storey and Kent Sakamoto, combined to go 4 for 5 and scored 9 of Fresno State’s 16 runs in Sunday’s 16-5 victory over Portland.
One day after picking up a 3-0 victory over the Pilots (2-11), the Bulldogs (11-8) erupted for 14 hits and capitalized on 4 Pilot errors.
“Curtie [assistant coach Matt Curtis] told us before the game we need to get a big win,” Storey said. “This is probably our big win.”
Storey and Sakamoto reached base 9 times, scoring on every occasion.
Head coach Mike Batesole said the Bulldogs worked on two-strike hitting during the days leading up to the Portland series, but Sakamoto didn’t need it on Sunday.
Earning three walks and a hit-by-pitch, Sakamoto received the Barry Bonds treatment, as he had an RBI single in his only official at-bat.
The Bulldogs that were pitched made the most of their opportunities. Still ailing from a sore shoulder, designated hitter Beau Mills managed three hits, including a double and a home run, giving him a team-high 5 RBIs on the day.
“The ambiance is good right now,” Sakamoto said. “With a couple of guys going down, it’s really a team game for us.”
Fifteen position players saw action for the Bulldogs on Sunday, but perhaps none played better than the speedy Storey.
Moving over from right field to center field to replace injured Nick Moresi, Storey has dazzled, routinely making the diving catch and preventing opposing runners from advancing on the basepaths.
Storey has also impressed while running the bases, as he has successfully stolen 6 out of 7 bases on the year and beaten out multiple throws on bunt-hits.
“He’s aggressive on the bases, aggressive on the field and that’s what we need,” Batesole said.
"Just trying to get the ball on the ground, steal some bags, and let my guys drive me in," Storey said.
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