Game 31: Long Beach State (20-10) at Fresno State (15-15, 7-7 MW) First Pitch: April 11, 2023, at 6:05 p.m. PT
Stadium: Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium
Surface: Grass
Dimensions: 330 (LF), 400 (CF), 330 (RF)
All-Time Series: Fresno State leads 63-53
Last Meeting: Long Beach State defeated Fresno State, 10-6 (March 22, 2023, in Long Beach, Calf.)Radio: Bulldog Sports Network
Live Stats: bulldogslive.com
Twitter: @FresnoStateBSB
Tickets: PurchaseFRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State baseball team returns home to take on the Long Beach State Dirtbags for the second time this season Tuesday evening at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
The 'Dogs are coming off a series loss to the Air Force Falcons and are looking to snap a five-game losing streak with a win over the Dirtbags. They currently sit two games behind conference leader San Diego State in the Mountain West standings.
Earlier this season, Fresno State (15-15, 7-7 MW) was defeated 10-6 by the Dirtbags (20-10) in Long Beach.
The Diamond 'Dogs hold a total batting average of .245 this season and a .975 fielding percentage. Fresno State is led at the plate by freshman infielder Murf Gray who holds a .307 average.
BULLDOG BONES:
Three-peat Freshman of the Week, Murf Gray:
Three-time Freshman of the Week Murf Gray leads the 'Dogs at the plate with a .307 average on the season and a .440 slugging percentage.
Gray started every game for the Bulldogs in last week's road series against Air Force, and the mid-week matchup against UC Irvine, at third base and currently leads the Bulldogs at the plate with a .307 average.
He owned a .375 average last week with his first career triple and second career double, and two RBIs.
Defensively, Gray held a perfect fielding percentage last week with four putouts and four assists as the third baseman.
Tough Guy Travis:
Senior Travis Welker is one of two Diamond 'Dogs to be in the starting lineup for all 30 games so far in 2023.
He currently owns a .272 average and sits at 11th toughest to strikeout in the nation with only six strikeouts over 92 at-bats.
He is also fifth in the nation in sacrifice bunts with eight on the season.
Defensively, Welker owns a .977 fielding percentage and is responsible for 48 putouts and 77 assists this season with only three errors.
A look at the Dirtbags:
Long Beach State has a 20-10 overall record and has won 10 of their last 12 games.
The 'Bags are led at the plate by Jonathan Long with a .331 batting average, .636 slugging percentage and .413 on-base percentage.
Projected Dirtbag starter Sky Wells has a 4.32 season ERA over 16.2 innings pitched and holds a 1-0 record. He has thrown a total 17 strikeouts this season and given up 13 hits and eight earned runs.