Gates Strikes Out Nine In Loss At Fresno State

Pepperdine and Fresno State Box Score (Feb. 26, 2011)

FRESNO, Calif. - Junior Aaron Gates struck out a career high nine batters over 5.2 innings and allowed only three hits, but one by Dusty Robinson left the yard to break a 2-2 tie and Fresno State went on to win 7-3 on a cold and cloudy day at Beiden Field.

The loss dropped Pepperdine's record to 3-2, while the Bulldogs remain undefeated on the young season at 4-0. The two clubs will wrap up their three-game series Sunday with a doubleheader starting at 1:05 p.m.

Robinson's shot was the first home run surrendered by Waves' pitching this season and came less than a half inning after junior centerfielder Brian Humphries (El Cajon, Calif./Granite Hills HS) knotted the game at 2-2 in the sixth with his first round-tripper of 2011. Humphries' blast also scored sophomore Zach Vincej (Saugus, Calif./Saugus HS) who reached base with his team-leading fifth hit by pitch of the season.

Pepperdine tacked on an additional run in the ninth with two outs after catcher Nate Johnson (Camarillo, Calif./Camarillo HS) scored from second on a two-base error by the Bulldogs' third baseman.

The Waves were already trailing 7-2 as they came up to their last at-bat because after Robinson gave Fresno State the lead, freshman Aaron Judge put the game out of reach with a two-run shot in the eighth off reliever Brian McIlhenny (Scottsdale, Ariz./Brophy College Preparatory).

As for Gates, his nine strikeouts were his most since recording seven last season in a 2-1 loss at UCLA. He also issued four walks - one of which scored an unearned run in the first - but after surrendering a run in the second on a sacrifice fly, Gates roared back to retire 12 consecutive batters. This stretch included him striking out the side in the fourth and punching out two more in the third and fifth innings.

Fresno State starter Derek Benny struck out two through 7.0 innings, walking one and scattering five hits on 87 pitches. Charlie Robertson earned the save with two scoreless innings of work and three strikeouts.

Fresno State 7, Pepperdine 3 (Feb 26, 2011 at Fresno, Calif.)

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Pepperdine.......... 000 002 001 - 3 6 2 (3-2)

Fresno State........ 110 001 13X - 7 6 1 (4-0)

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Pitchers: Pepperdine - Gates, Aaron; MAURER, Matt(6); McILHENNY, Brian(8) and . Fresno State -

Benny, D.; Robertson, C(8) and .

Win-Benny, D.(2-0) Save-Robertson, C(2) Loss-GATES, Aaron(0-1) T-2:23 A-1757

HR PEP - Humphries, Brian (1).

HR FS - Robinson, D. (1); Judge, A. (1).

Weather: cloudy 47deg nw wind 9mph

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Players Mentioned

Aaron Gates

Brian Humphries

Nate Johnson

Brian McIlhenny

Zach Vincej

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