May 23, 2008

Box Score

RUSTON, La. - With one swing of the bat Steve Susdorf propelled the Fresno State baseball team to a 7-3 WAC tournament victory over San Jose State on Friday. The Bulldog senior became the school's career RBI leader with 202 after a three-run homerun in the seventh inning.

The previous record was 200, held by Todd Johnson who played at Fresno State from 1990-93. His homerun was also his 36th of his career, moving him into a tie for third place on the school's career homerun list.

The Bulldogs remain in the winner's bracket and will play at 9 a.m. (Pacific time) on Saturday against the winner of Nevada and Hawai'i. Saturday's game will be heard on 580 KMJ.

Clayton Allison earned his second win of the season as he pitched six innings, struck out three, scattered seven hits and allowed three runs. Brandon Burke earned his ninth save of the season as he pitched the final one and 2/3 innings and allowed no hits and no runs.

"Allison was outstanding today," Fresno State coach Mike Batesole said. "He had outstanding stuff today. He was attacking the glove just like we wanted him to do."

Fresno State had 14 hits and Susdorf led the way by going three for five with four RBIs. Gavin Hedstrom, Erik Wetzel, Alan Ahmady and Tommy Mendonca each had two hits for the Dogs.

With the score tied at three after six innings Susdorf stepped to the plate, with Hedstrom on third and Wetzel on first base and took a first pitch from David Berner over the right field fence. The bomb gave the Dogs a 6-3 lead.

The Bulldogs added another run in the eighth on a pinch hit homerun by Jordan Ribera.

For the second straight day Fresno State scored in the first inning as they scored three in the top of the first. Danny Muno started the inning with a walk and Hedstrom then beat out a bunt. After a sacrifice bunt by Wetzel that moved the runners to second and third, Susdorf recorded his 200th RBI of his career on a double to right field.

Ahmady brought home Hedstrom on a ground out to the short stop and Tommy Mendonca platted Susdorf on a single to centerfield.

San Jose State rallied with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game at three.

"Join the State - Fresno State" - The Fresno State baseball team plays at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the winners bracket of the WAC tournament. The game can be heard live on 580 KMJ.