FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State baseball team locked in the series win over conference leader Air Force with a dominant 18-4 win in seven innings
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Diamond 'Dogs scored early and often to start the game with a six-run lead after the first inning.
Fresno State led off with three consecutive singles from Eddie Saldivar, Rocco Peppi and Tommy Hopfe. Ben Newton cleared the bases with an RBI ripple to right center. Justin Stransky reached first on an error and Michael McKernan grounded out to drive in the final two runs of the inning.
The Bulldogs extended their lead to 9-0 in the third inning with an RBI double and RBI single from Eddie Saldivar and Tommy Hopfe.
Starting pitcher Jack Anker held the Falcons scoreless until the fourth inning when the Birds scored a run on a sacrifice fly.
The Birds scored two more in the top of the fifth inning on a wild pitch and a groundout.
Fresno State responded with an RBI single from Tommy Hopfe in the bottom of the frame.
The Diamond 'Dogs lit up the scoreboard in the sixth inning with eight runs scored on seven hits, five of which were doubles.
Air Force added one final run in the top of the seventh but was not able to recover from the 14-run deficit. The contest was cut short due to the conference-set mercy rule.
NOTES
With the win, Fresno State is now in a four-way tie for first place in the conference with Air Force, Nevada and New Mexico.
Every Bulldog in the starting lineup scored at least one run, with seven of them scoring multiple runs.
Rocco Peppi went 3-4 on the day, extending his hit streak to 17 games.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs are kicking off a week-long road trip on Tuesday with a midweek game against USC at Great Park in Irvine at 6 p.m. PT.