FRESNO, Calif. - The Pacific baseball team (8-9) battled back to tie Fresno State (9-7) in the top of the ninth, but ultimately fell victim to a walk-off home run in the home half of the innings as the Bulldogs took down UOP, 7-6.

In what proved to be a back-and-forth affair, the Tigers outhit their opponent overall (10-9), but also left eight runners on base to Fresno State's six.
 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• After a scoreless first inning from both teams, Pacific got on the board in the top of the second following a triple by junior Joe Fitzhugh and a sacrifice fly by freshman Thomas Gavello.

• In the home half of the second, the Bulldogs would respond with a run of their own on an RBI triple, evening the score at one through two innings of play.

• Not able to drive sophomore Jeremy Lea in the top of the third, Fresno State took the lead with two runs on two hits in the bottom of the third, holding a 3-1 advantage through three.

• Delivering when called upon, Gavello drove home junior Alex LeForestier on his second sac fly of the contest with 0 outs in the top of the fourth, cutting the Bulldogs lead to 3-2.

• Unfortunately, Fresno State tacked on two runs for the second consecutive inning, jumping out in front 5-2 after four complete.

• Trading runs again, both the Tigers and the Bulldogs would each score one run in the fifth inning, with Pacific adding to their run total on junior Charles Middleton's team-leading fourth home run of the season.

• Moving into the sixth, Gavello continued his hot day at the plate by collecting his third RBI of the evening on a single to right field with one out. Following a double by junior Wyatt Hoffman, UOP trailed by just one, 6-5, at the end of seven.

• The next two innings proved to be painless for both squads before the Tigers loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the ninth to put pressure on their opponents. Subsequently, LeForestier tied the game at six on an infield single to second base, scoring junior James McClenaghan.

• Unable to drive home Lea from third following the single by LeForestier, Pacific headed into the bottom of the ninth locked in a battle with the Bulldogs.

• Ultimately, Fresno State would defeat UOP in walk-off fashion, taking down the Tigers on a two-out home run by Zach Presno.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Providing a spark when necessary, Gavello was named the City of Stockton Human Resources Hardworking Player of the Game after finishing 1-for-2 with 3 RBI and one run scored. Overall, the three runs driven in marks a new career-high for the first-year infielder from Danville.

• On the mound, seven different Tigers recorded at least one inning pitched on Wednesday: junior Henrik Reinertsen, senior Joseph Standley Jr., sophomore Dylan Pottgieser, sophomore Michael Defelippi, senior David Rajeski, redshirt junior Nick Swanson and senior Keaton Glover.

• Overall, UOP outhit the Bulldogs, 10-9, with the first four batters in the Tiger lineup (McClenaghan, Lea, Middleton, LeForestier) all tallying at least one hit in the contest. Additionally, senior Carter Hayes was a consistent presence in the middle, finishing 3-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored.

UP NEXT:

Returning home to Klein Family Field for the first time since Feb. 25 vs. UC Davis, Pacific will host conference foe Saint Mary's as the Tigers and the Gaels open conference play on Friday, Mar. 13. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 pm followed by 5:00 pm and 1:00 pm start times on Saturday and Sunday. Video and live stats will both be available via pacifictigers.com.

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