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Bulldogs blast top-seeded Rainbows

Billy Hull

MESA, Ariz. >> Dusty Robinson’s three-run homer drove in Fresno State’s first three batters of the game and the second-seeded Bulldogs never trailed in an 11-5 win over top-seeded Hawaii on Friday night in the Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament at Hohokam Stadium.

The Rainbows (33-24) will play Louisiana Tech in an elimination game on Saturday at noon Hawaii time. The winner will play the Bulldogs at 4 to try and force a winner-take-all title game on Sunday.

Kenny Wise added a two-run homer off Hawaii starter Jarrett Arakawa (5-4), who allowed six runs in three innings.

Josh Poytress (7-2) allowed two runs on nine hits in five innings to earn the win.

Hawaii cut the lead to 8-4 when Pi’ikea Kitamura drew a bases-loaded walk with no outs in the eighth.

The Bulldogs brought in closer Charlie Robertson to face Kolten Wong, who flied out to center to drive in a run.

Zack Swasey grounded into a fielders choice and Collin Bennett grounded out to second to end the threat.

FSU added  three runs in the ninth off of Brent Harrison, who recorded one out.

Aaron Judge hit an RBI single and Brennan Gowens hit a two-run double off of Michael Blake for the final margin.

Hawaii finished with 13 hits and left 13 men on base, including 10 in the final five innings.

Wong finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Garrett Champion was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

The save was Robertson’s 12th of the year, trailing only Hawaii’s Lenny Linsky in the WAC.

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