Feb. 24, 2006
Box Score
Fresno, Calif. -
A solo home run from Steve Susdorf, a solid start from Doug Fister and a late ninth-inning rally weren't quite enough Friday for the Bulldogs as Stanford held on to take a 3-2 win in the first game of a three-game series. Stanford starter Greg Reynolds got the win, allowing one run on five hits in out-dueling Fister, who gave up two runs in six innings.
In a battle between both teams' aces, a season-best crowd of 3,704 saw both pitchers step up to the challenge. Fresno State's Fister got the game started with a first-inning strikeout and a strong defensive play from the mound to end the inning on a groundout up the middle. Fresno State was able to place two runners in the first, with Loren Storey hitting a single and Kent Sakamoto reaching after being hit with a pitch, but Reynolds recovered to get two outs to end the inning with the game scoreless.
The game would continue in the same manner, as Doug Fister scattered hits and Reynolds held the Fresno State bats at bay as both teams remained unable to get on the board through the first four innings. Stanford finally broke through in the fifth, when a single from Joey August and a double from Jim Rapoport got the Cardinal on the board. Rapoport would later score on a single from Michael Taylor, but the Bulldogs got through the inning with no further damage to stay close.
Fister continued to pitch for one more inning, retiring the side in order in the sixth, and the Bulldogs moved closer as Steve Susdorf hit his team-leading fifth home run of the season to start the Fresno State half of the sixth. Stanford added the insurance run they would need in the seventh, as Rapoport laid down a perfect drag bunt to get on base, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored after Michael Taylor's second RBI single of the night.
Fresno State continued to have chances clear through the rest of the game. Reynolds got the first two outs to begin the eighth inning, but
Loren Storey matched Jim Rapoport's bunt single to extend the inning, and a double from
Kent Sakamoto gave the Bulldogs the tying runs in scoring position. Stanford closer Jeremy Bleich came in and got the out the team needed in the eighth with a groundout by
Beau Mills.
Bleich was not out of the woods yet, as the Bulldogs continued to press in the ninth. Christian Vitters struck out to begin the inning, but Ozzie Lewis stroked a triple to right field to start a rally, and Frank LoNigro's sacrifice fly brought the Bulldogs back within one. Fresno State would continue to get closer when pinch-hitter Brian Lapin reached base and moved to second when Chris Minaker's throw from shortstop sailed into the dugout, his second error of the day. Erik Wetzel was retired on a hard-hit grounder to third base to end the game and the rally.
Fresno State and Stanford continue a three-day series tomorrow, when the teams match up at 1:05 p.m. Tickets can be bought at the gate, online at www.gobulldogs.com or through the Bulldogs' box office at (559) 278-DOGS.
