'Dogs stumble in series finale

Sunday, April 24

USAFA, CO

9:30 A.M. PT

Fresno State

20-20, 0

Air Force

18-21, 0

Fresno State

Air Force

Photo by: Musashi Sukeda

'Dogs stumble in series finale

4/24/2022 1:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Travis Blanshan / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

USAFA, Colo. - The Diamond 'Dogs dropped their series finale at Air Force on Sunday, 15-9 at Falcon Field.

Fresno State (20-20, 10-8 MW) was able to get the bats going offensively collecting 13 hits, including five for extra bases, to finish with 41 in the series.

Ivan Luna and Travis Welker each recorded three hits apiece with Luna launching his team-leading 10th home run and the first baseman added four RBI and two runs scored.

On the mound, Ixan Henderson made his second start of the week, but was tagged with the loss after going five innings allowing 13 runs. Kyle Pruhsmeier, Robbie Peters and Tommy Hopfe closed out the game each working one inning apiece.

How It Happened
For the second straight game, the 'Dogs belted a first-inning home run with Luna launching a three-run bomb to right field for a 3-0 lead.

The Falcons answered back with a run on an RBI double, but the Bulldogs responded with two more runs on an RBI triple by Zach Morgan and RBI single to left by Luna.

After retiring Air Force in order in the second, the Falcons were able to get to Henderson in the third for five runs collecting five hits to take back the lead at 6-5.

As they did all series, the 'Dogs answered back offensively with four runs in the fourth getting the scoring started with a RBI single from Andrew Kachel, a RBI groundout from Morgan, Kachel scoring on a wild pitch and Vinny Bologna rounded the scoring out with an RBI double to left-center.

Air Force answered back with a five-run bottom of the frame that included a grand slam by Paul Skenes and tacked on two more runs in the fifth on a pair of RBI base knocks to extend their lead to 13-9.

Skenes added a two-run home run in the eighth to extend Air Force's lead to 15-9.

Down to its final at-bat in the ninth, the 'Dogs loaded the bases with two outs on a double from Welker, walks from Morgan and Bologna with Bobby Blandford coming to the plate. Blandford came through with a single through the right side, but the ball clipped Bologna attempting to advance to second to end the game.

Up next
The Bulldogs return home to host San Francisco (20-22) on Tuesday.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit 559-278-7160.

Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram: fresnostbaseball
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics