Game 49-51: UNLV (19-26, 10-14 Mountain West) at Fresno State (24-24, 13-14 MW)
First Pitch: May 12-14, 2023 -- Fri.: 6:05 p.m. PT, Sat.: 3:05 p.m. PT, 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 returns home to Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium as they face the UNLV Hustlin' Rebels for the final Mountain West series of the regular season. First pitch of the weekend series is set for 6:05 p.m. PT Friday evening.
The Diamond 'Dogs are battling to keep their spot in fourth place in the conference to solidify their position in the Mountain West Championship.
After sweeping the Rebels in Las Vegas, Fresno State sits at 3-0 over UNLV this season.
MW PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Fresno State baseball's Bobby Blandford was named Mountain West Player of the Week after his standout performance last week in contents against Sacramento State and Nevada, the conference announced Monday.
Blandford played an integral role in all three Bulldog wins last week as Fresno State's starting left fielder as he crushed two home runs and was a single away from the cycle in Sunday's win over the Nevada Wolf Pack.
In addition, Blandford owned a .357 average last week, with a double, two triples, two home runs, seven runs scored and six RBI. He also had a 1.143 slugging percentage with a team-leading 16 total bases this week.
Defensively, Blandford made several diving plays in left field last week and had a perfect fielding percentage with five putouts and an assist.
FRESHMAN AT THE TOP
Five-time Mountain West Freshman of the Week Murf Gray leads the 'Dogs in batting average, batting .292 on the season with 26 RBIs, seven doubles, a triple and seven home runs in his time at Fresno State.
The starting third baseman is one of two baseball players to win Mountain West Weekly honors five weeks in a row, tied with Stephen Strasberg in 2008.
STRIKEOUT KING
Junior pitcher Ixan Henderson has led the Mountain West in strikeouts all season, currently with 86 over 72.1 innings pitched.
Henderson leads the 'Dogs with a 3.61 ERA with only 32 runs scored against him while only allowing 27 walks in 1s starts.
He has the third-best ERA (3.61) and third-best opposing average (.233) in the conference.
TOM OF ALL TRADES
Junior Tommy Hopfe has started 44 games this season with the 'Dogs.
Hopfe has served as the designated hitter, first baseman, catcher and pitcher so far in 2023.
On the mound, Hopfe has earned nine saves, making him second in the Mountain West and 11th in the nation.
In the field, Hopfe has a perfect fielding percentage with 142 putouts and 15 assists.
At the plate, Hopfe is a clutch hitter, leading the team with eight home runs, 36 RBIs and 92 total bases this season.
A LOOK AT THE REBELS
The Hustlin' Rebels sit in sixth place in the Mountain West with a 10-14 conference record (19-26 overall)
Earlier this season, Fresno State swept UNLV in Las Vegas with two wins in extra innings.
At the plate the Rebels are led by Jacob Sharp with a .319 average over 160 at-bats with 37 RBI and 40 runs scored.