FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team secured a 5-3 win over the New Mexico Lobos to start a three-game series at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium on Friday night.
Starting pitcher Ixan Henderson threw eight strikeouts in seven innings, making him the Mountain West strikeout leader with 34 on the season.
Bobby Blandford crushed his second home run of the season to drive in two runs for Fresno State (9-7, 3-3 Mountain West).
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Diamond 'Dogs gave up an early 2-0 lead to the Lobos in the top of the first.
Fresno State fired back with a five-run inning in the bottom of the fourth with singles from Nikoh Mitchell and Tommy Hopfe, along with a two-run homer from Bobby Blandford.
The 'Dogs held the lead for the remainder of the game, only giving up one additional run in the top of the ninth.
Tommy Hopfe made the move from first base to the mound to close out the game and struck out the potential tying run.
UP NEXT
Game two against New Mexico will take place at 3 p.m. PT at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium on Saturday.