Graig MantleAfter dropping its first five games, the Cal Poly baseball team has reeled off three straight victories after defeating Fresno State 6-3 Tuesday night in front of 1,009 at Baggett Stadium.
The Mustangs took advantage of four runs in the bottom of the third inning. After giving up a 2-1 lead in the top of the third, the Mustangs (3-5) pelted Bulldog starter Tanner Scheppers for four hits, including a two-run single by left fielder Bryan Kepner, scoring designated hitter Wes Dorrell and third baseman Brent Morel.
“My approach was line drives all night, and it worked tonight,” Kepner said.
The Mustangs received a solid performance from starter Steve Fischback (1-2). The true freshman right-hander pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs with one strikeout for his first victory of the season.
After a scoreless first inning, Fischback allowed back-to-back runs in the second and third frames. He then settled down, allowing just one hit over his last two innings behind a host of sure-handed Cal Poly defenders.
“Our pitching has been much better (over the three-game win streak), you win games on pitching and defense and we’ve been solid in both areas the last three games,” Cal Poly head coach Larry Lee said.
Fresno State struck first in the top of the second inning. Fresno State right fielder Ozzie Lewis singled up the middle. After a Fischback balk and wild pitch advanced Lewis to third, a sacrifice fly by third baseman Tommy Mendonca scored Lewis.
Cal Poly struck back immediately in the bottom of the second via consecutive triples by Morel and Kepner. First baseman Adam Buschini lashed a single up the middle to score Kepner, making the score 2-1. Kepner finished the game 2 for 3 with three RBI.
The Bulldogs (1-3) tied the score at 2-2 in the top of the third after a couple of singles. That was as close as they would get.
“It felt good,” Kepner said. “It was really nice to have everyone on the same page.”
Mustang relievers Andrew Slorp and Evan Reed combined for four innings, one earned run and four strikeouts (two each). Slorp capitalized on a beautifully turned 4-6-3 double play to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh. The right-hander allowed just one run in the inning despite giving up three hits and a walk.
Reed, a junior right-hander, dominated Bulldog hitters for the final two innings with a lively fastball topping out at 95 mph.
Lee attributed the Mustangs’ recent success to team chemistry and being able to slow the game down.
“We have a good, positive environment right now, and that’s very important,” Lee said. “Anytime you have a young team, they have a hard time slowing the game down at this level. They have been able to just relax and let the game come to them the past three games.”