February 17, 2006
FRESNO, California - After spotting Fresno State a big advantage, Utah Valley State rallied but the Bulldogs' lead proved insurmountable as the Wolverines dropped Friday's opener of a three-game set 13-9 in Fresno, California.
The game began as a pitcher's duel between the Wolverine's
Kam Mickolio and Fresno State's Doug Fister as the score was tied at one heading into the bottom of the 5th inning before the Bulldogs bats came alive.
Fresno sent 12 players to the plate in the 5th and capitalized on three walks and an error in the inning to score six runs on five hits. They added three more in both the 6th and 7th innings to build a 13-2 lead.
After Fresno State starter Doug Fister exited in after seven innings of work the Wolverines got to the Bulldog bullpen. They scored seven runs in the top of the 8th on six hits including a two-run triple by freshman
Chris Benson for the first hit of his career, cutting the lead to 13-9.
But that was too little too late for Utah Valley, who couldn't make any noise in the 9th and dropped to 1-4 with the loss. Fresno State moved to 5-5 and has now won three straight games.
The Wolverines missed a big opportunity to get on the board in the top of the 1st when they loaded the bases with just one out, but a called strike three to
Canyon Vance and a groundout by
Keiki Albino ended the threat.
The Wolverines answered back in the top of the 5th after
Brad Hales led off the inning with a double and later scored on a wild pitch to tie the score at one.
Fister (1-2) earned the win after lasting seven innings and allowing two runs and striking out four Wolverines. Mickolio (0-2) allowed six earned runs in four innings of work but walked four while striking out two.
Both teams pounded out 14 hits with
Adam Openshaw going 3-for-4 for the Wolverines, moving his season average to .474 (9-for-19). Nick Moresi had a home run and three RBI for Fresno State.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again tomorrow at 2:05 pm MST. Live stats of the game can be found by going to gobulldogs.com.
