FRESNO, Calif. -- The Fresno State baseball team defeated No. 9 UC Santa Barbara 9-3 in game one of the weekend match-up on Friday night at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
Fresno State was led at the plate by Grady Morgan and Ben Newton, who both went 2-for-4. Ben Newton led with four RBIs, thanks to a statement grand slam in the bottom of the eighth.
Ixan Henderson tossed seven strong innings and earned another eight strikeouts with only two hits against him.
Victor Arreola earned his first win of the season with three strikeouts and no walks over two innings.
The 'Dogs handed the Gauchos (17-5) their second road loss of the season as Fresno State advances to 14-10.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Bulldogs and the Gauchos both had strong starts with the leadoff hitters for both teams, Ivan Brethowr and Grady Morgan, going yard. The 'Dogs came out on top at the end of the first inning after a sacrifice fly from Murf Gray brought in another run to make it a 2-1 ball game.
In the top of the fourth, UCSB tallied another run after a throwing error gave the Gauchos an opportunity to tie the game.
After a four-inning scoring drought, the 'Dogs lit up the scoreboard with a seven-run eighth inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Fresno State scored on a wild pitch. Travis Welker walked and loaded the bases once again. Grady Morgan walked in a run and gave the 'Dogs a 5-2 lead.
Ben Newton wrapped up the scoring in the eighth inning as he smashed a grand slam to right field that solidified a 9-2 lead over the Gauchos.
UCSB replied in the top of the ninth inning with a home run, but the Bulldog defense held the Gauchos off and secured their first win over a ranked opponent in 2023.
UP NEXT: The 'Dogs will return for game two of the series against UCSB on Saturday at 3:05 p.m. at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.