FRESNO, Calif. --- Fresno State scored 10 runs over the first two innings and senior Bob Runyon struck out a career-high 12 to help lead the Bulldogs to an 11-1 victory over Sacramento State Friday night at Beiden Field.The win improved Fresno State to 26-22 overall and gave the team its ninth win in its last 11 games. The Hornets fell to 16-28 overall.
The Bulldogs jumped on the board in the first inning with four runs. Chris Patrick singled to start the one-out rally before Casey McGehee added another single. Senior Ben Fritz then cleared the bases with a home run just inside the left field foul pole to give Fresno State a 3-0 advantage. Christian Hallaian drove in the fourth run of the inning with a double.
Fresno State kept its momentum going in the second inning with six runs on four hits. After back-to-back four-pitch walks to start the inning, Patrick drove in two runs with a double. McGehee then hit a ground ball to third but Pedro Santiago threw the ball down the first base line allowing Patrick to score and McGehee to advance to third. Fritz then plated McGehee with a sacrifice fly to right field before Brian Pierce doubled to end the night for starting pitcher Chris Kinsey.
The early lead proved to be plenty for Runyon who threw his eighth complete game of the season. The right-hander had a shutout through the first 8.1 innings of the game before freshman Matt Wilson hit a line-driive homer to left.
The Fresno State offense was led by Patrick who was 4-for-5. McGehee, Brian Pierce and Hallaian each added a pair of hits.
Sacramento State was paced by junior Tim Reimer and Santiage who each had two hits. The Hornets also received a strong outing from releivers Dave Turner and Steve Cuckovich. Turner tossed 5.2 innings and allowed just one earned run. Cuckovich did not allow a run in his one inning of work.
The two teams will continue the three-game series on Saturday. The game is scheduled to being at 7p.m.
---30---
Sacramento State (16-28) 000 000 001 - 1 6 1
Fresno State (26-22) 460 001 00X - 11 12 0
Chris Kinsey, Dave Turner (2), Steve Cuckovich (8) and Joe Evans, Matt Wilson (7). Bob Runyon and Brad Harper.
TOP HITTERS: SAC - Pedro Santiage 2x2, 3B; Tim Reimer 2x4; Matt Wilson HR. FS - Chris Patrick 4x5, 2 2B; Brian Pierce 2x3, 2B; Christian Hallaian 2x4, 2 2B; Casey McGehee 2x5, 2B.
