IRVINE, Calif. – The Fresno State baseball team was defeated 6-3 in a midweek match up against the Anteaters of UC Irvine.
Fresno State now sits at a 15-12 overall record (7-4 MW) and UC Irvine advances to 17-8 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After a scoreless top of the first, Bobby Blandford wrapped up the inning with an impressively snagged fly ball in left centerfield, preventing a potential double for the Anteaters.
The 'Dogs gave up the first run of the game in the bottom of the second after a walk and back-to-back Anteater singles. A close call at the plate in favor of UC Irvine gave the Anteaters their second run after a sacrifice bunt.
In the top of the third, Nikoh Mitchell led off with a single, and Tyler Davis was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Travis Welker and later scored on a failed pick-off attempt at third base that tied the game at two.
Bryce Armstrong took over on the mound for the bottom of the third and fourth. He recorded three strikeouts in this sixth appearance, shifting his season strikeout total to eight.
The Anteaters had three hits in the bottom of the fifth and tacked on two more runs against the Bulldogs.
Trevor Garcia took the mound in the bottom of the sixth and tossed for 1.2 innings where he recorded a three-frame inning and two strikeouts.
Jaden Sheppard crossed the plate to add another run for the 'Dogs after he reached on an error and hits from Murf Gray and Tyler Davis cleared a path for him to score.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Zach Statzer stepped on the mound and got the 'Dogs out of a sticky situation, holding the Anteaters scoreless in the inning.
The Anteaters chalked up two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning off three hits: two doubles and a single.
The 'Dogs were not able to recover in the ninth and fell 6-3 to the Anteaters.
UP NEXT: The Diamond 'Dogs are back in action for a three-game series at Air Force, starting on Thursday at 2 p.m. PT.