Game 37-40: San Jose State (18-15, 11-4 Mountain West) at Fresno State (18-17, 9-8 MW)
First Pitch: April 21-23, 2023 -- Fri.: 6:05 p.m. PT, Sat.: 2 p.m. PT (Doubleheader), Sun.: 1:05 p.m. PT
Stadium: Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium
Surface: Grass
Dimensions: 330 (LF), 400 (CF), 330 (RF)
Radio: Bulldog Sports Network
TV: CW59 (Saturday & Sunday)
Live Stats: bulldogslive.com
Twitter: @FresnoStateBSB
Tickets: Purchase
FRESNO, Calif. -- The Fresno State baseball team is set to host Mountain West leader San Jose State for a four-game series this weekend at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
Friday's game will serve as a makeup game with SJSU serving as the "home" team and hitting second due to a postponed game in San Jose earlier this season.
The 'Dogs are coming off a mid-week win over the Pacific Tigers in a nail-biter 8-7 victory in 10 innings. Fresno State now has an 18-17 overall record (9-8 MW) and San Jose State sits at 18-15 on the season (11-4 MW).
This weekend, all active duty military, veterans, and first responders get free admission at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
IXAN HENDERSON – STRIKEOUT KING
Junior pitcher Ixan Henderson has led the Mountain West in strikeouts all season long, currently with 63 over 53 innings pitched.
Henderson leads the 'Dogs with a 3.40 ERA with only 23 runs scored against him while only allowing 19 walks in nine starts.
TOMMY HOPFE – KING OF THE SAVE
Junior Tommy Hopfe has started 31 games this season with the 'Dogs.
Hopfe has served as the DH, first baseman, catcher, and pitcher so far this season.
On the mound, Hopfe has earned seven saves, making him first in the Mountain West and 15th in the nation.
In the field, Hopfe has a perfect fielding percentage with 85 putouts and nine assists.
At the plate, Hopfe is a clutch hitter, co-leading the team with five home runs this season, two of those being against conference leader San Diego State this past weekend.
TRAVIS WELKER – SKILLS SHOW
Senior Travis Welker is the only Diamond 'Dog to be in the starting lineup for all 35 games so far in 2023.
He currently owns a .264 average and sits at 8th toughest to strikeout in the nation with only six strikeouts over 110 at-bats.
He is also sixth in the nation in sacrifice bunts with nine on the season.
Defensively, Welker has spent the whole season at shortstop and is known for his highlight reel-level reflexes and quick plays. He owns a .964 fielding percentage and is responsible for 68 putouts and 92 assists in 2023.
ROMAN ANGELO – MOUNTAIN WEST PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Senior Roman Angelo has earned his second Mountain West Weekly Honor this season after being named MW Pitcher of the Week.
Angelo spent a career-high eight innings on the mound as the Saturday starter for the 'Dogs, stepping up to fill the shoes of injured Saturday starter Jake Dixon, and shutout conference leader San Diego State through eight innings.
Last week he owned a 0.00 ERA with only three hits and two walks allowed. Angelo also earned five strikeouts this week and held opponents to a .120 average.
MURF GRAY – MOUNTAIN WEST FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Murf Gray has received his fourth consecutive MW Freshman of the Week honor this season after finding a regular spot in the Bulldogs' starting lineup at third base. He is only the second MW baseball player to earn a weekly honor four weeks in a row.
He owned a .250 average and .688 slugging percentage last week and crushed home runs in back-to-back games against conference leader SDSU.
Gray scored four runs and had five RBIs, and currently leads the 'Dogs at the plate with a .302 average.
Gray had several impressive defensive plays last week and earned eight put-outs and seven assists.
A LOOK AT THE SPARTANS:
The Spartans fell in back-to-back games against Cal Poly this week after sweeping the Hustlin' Rebels of UNLV.
Earlier this season, the Spartans defeated the 'Dogs 5-3 and 6-2 before the third game of the series was postponed due to rain.
The Spartans are led at the plate by Theo Hardy who owns a .347 average and .463 slugging percentage.
On the mound, SJSU is led by Micky Thompson who has a 3.28 season ERA and has thrown 35 strikeouts in 46.2 innings pitched.