Box Score
FRESNO, Calif. - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow baseball team (25-14, 6-5 WAC) fell to the Fresno State Bulldogs (21-19, 6-4) 6-5 in the first game of a doubleheader at Pete Beiden Field Sunday.
Jayson Kramer (3-2) took the hard-luck loss, allowing one run on three hits with four strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched. Brandon Burke (4-4) got the win for the Bulldogs.
Jonathan Hee went 2-for-5 with one RBI and a double. Kris Sanchez added a 2-for-4 game with a double and a run while Landon Hernandez was 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the bottom of the second as Steve Susdorf hit a solo home run to right field. Fresno State added to their lead with a single run in the fourth, two in the fifth and one more in the sixth, pushing their advantage to 5-0.
The 'Bows roared back in the top of the seventh. Sanchez led off the inning with a double, then moved over to third on a single by Vinnie Catricala. Evan Zimny drove in Sanchez. Hernandez, Elijah Christensen and Jonathan Hee also drove in runs in the inning, getting Hawai`i back in the game at 5-4.
UH again went to work in the top of the ninth. Zimny led of the inning by reaching first on a hit by pitch. After a single by Hernandez, Hee singled to left, sending pinch runner Matt Roquemore around the bases. But Susdorf was able to throw out Roquemore at home, keeping the Bulldogs ahead. But the 'Bows didn't stop fighting as pinch hitter Derek DuPree singled in pinch runner Kevin Fujii, tying the game at 5-5.
In the bottom of the ninth, Kramer was able to retire the first two batters. But Todd Sandell got an infield single to start the Bulldogs' rally. After another single moved him to second, Loren Storey hit a single to left, sending Sandell around the bases. DuPree, who moved to left field, threw home to Fujii for a play at the plate. After the collision at home, Fujii dropped the ball, giving Fresno State the run and the 6-5 victory.
The second game of the doubleheader is underway, starting at 3:20 local time.
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