The 4-seed Fresno State Bulldogs defeated the 2-seed San Diego in the finals of the Long Beach Regional on Monday night. The Bulldogs survived a three error night to advance to the Super Regionals. The Toreros grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning after the Toreros’ number eight hitter catcher Logan Gelbrich started off the inning with a double. Gelbrich would score on a fielding error by Fresno State first baseman Alan Ahmady. The Bulldogs responded though in the bottom of the inning scoring two runs after leadoff hitter Tommy Mendonca was hit by a pitch and Danny Grubb walked with one out. Both runners advanced on a groundout by Danny Muno and Grant Hedstrom singled to drive in both runners and give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. Fresno State closer Brandon Burke came into the game with one out in the top of the sixth inning and held the Toreros scoreless the rest of the way as the Bulldogs added three more runs in the bottom of the eighth to seal the game.
Holden Sprague picked up the win for the Bulldogs pitching 5.1 innings giving up just one run. Brandon Burke picked up his 11th save of the season pitching 3.2 innings giving up no runs and just one hit. Sammy Solis took the loss for San Diego going 5.1 innings giving up two runs.
