LAS VEGAS – The Fresno State baseball team secured its first road win of the season on Friday evening with a 2-1 victory over UNLV in 10 innings in Las Vegas.
The 'Dogs improved to 11-9 overall and 5-4 in Mountain West play after the win over the Hustlin' Rebels of UNLV (7-12, 3-4 MW).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The defense between the Bulldogs and Rebels was strong from the start in Friday's matchup.
UNLV was first to cross the plate with an RBI single, giving the Rebels a 1-0 lead.
The 'Dogs answered in the fourth inning with a single from Tommy Hopfe, followed by Bobby Blandford's third double of the season, placing Hopfe on third base. Jaden Sheppard grounded out to second base, giving Hopfe the opportunity to tie the game.
The Bulldogs and the Rebels then began a five-inning scoreless standoff, ultimately leading them into extra innings.
Through seven innings, starting pitcher and MW strikeout leader Ixan Henderson rung up another seven Ks with only four hits against him.
Freshman Jack Anker picked up for Ixan Henderson in the eighth inning and held the Rebels to two scoreless innings and earned his second win of the season (2-0).
In the top of the 10th, Grady Morgan singled down the left field line to reach his first bag of the game. Tyler Davis drove in Morgan as the go-ahead run with a hard-hit double to the wall in right center field.
Tommy Hopfe shifted from his spot as the designated hitter to the mound to close out the game in the tenth inning. Over the course of a tense top of the 10th, Hopfe earned his sixth save of the season, putting him in second place nationally for season saves.
UP NEXT: The Diamond 'Dogs return to Earl E. Wilson Stadium tomorrow, March 24, for game two of the series against UNLV with first pitch at 1:05 p.m, PT.