Mountain West Championship in Fresno, Calif.
Stadium: Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium
Surface: Grass
Dimensions: 330 (LF), 400 (CF), 330 (RF)
Radio: Bulldog Sports Network
Live Stats: bulldogslive.com
Twitter: @FresnoStateBSB
Tickets: Purchase
FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State baseball team is set to compete in the 2023 Mountain West Championship at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium for the first time since 2013.
The Bulldogs wrapped up the regular season with a 16-14 conference record and have been placed in the four seed for the double-elimination tournament.
Fresno State will face the number one seed San Jose State on Thursday at 6 p.m. PT on its home turf but will bat first as it is the lower-seeded team. The 'Dogs have defeated the Spartans at home twice this year, with one of those wins played as the "away" team.
HOME SWEET HOME
Fresno State has had a standout year in front of the Red Wave this season, going 21-10 overall at The Pete.
In conference play, the Bulldogs own a home record of 11-5.
The 'Dogs have also won every series played at home this season.
Junior Tommy Hopfe rules Pete Beiden Field with a .365 batting average, nine home runs, and eight saves on the mound at home.
BULLDOGS IN THE 'SHIP
Fresno State's last appearance in the Mountain West Championship was in 2019, where the 'Dogs claimed a ring with a 12-6 win over UNLV at Don Weir Field at Peccole Park in Reno, Nev.
The Bulldogs are 2-2 when given the four seed and 3-3 in tournament opener games since joining the Mountain West in 2013.
Fresno State is 11-10 overall in six appearances in Mountain West Championship games.
STRIKEOUT KING
Junior LHP Ixan Henderson has led the Mountain West in strikeouts all season long just two shy of the 100 mark in 84 innings pitched, with 57 of those strikeouts occurring at home.
Henderson has a 1.74 ERA at The Pete and has only allowed 10 earned runs at home all year.
He owns the second-best overall ERA in the conference 3.32 and holds opponents to a .228 batting average.
TOM OF ALL TRADES
Junior Tommy Hopfe leads the Bulldogs in overall batting average (.317) and average at home (.365) in 2023.
Hopfe leads the team with 11 home runs, nine of which were hit at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
He also is no stranger to the mound with 10 saves on his resume this season, with eight being completed in Fresno.
Hopfe also has a perfect fielding percentage this season with 179 putouts and 18 assists this year.
JUST AS COOL THE SEVENTH TIME
For the seventh time in 2023, Murf Gray was named Mountain West Freshman of the Week, the conference announced Monday.
Murf Gray had a solid weekend at the plate, going 4-for-8 against Saint Mary's.
He owned a 1.125 slugging percentage on the weekend, adding a home run and a triple to his resume, along with six RBIs and two runs scored.
Gray also added four assists and a putout to his season total.
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
Senior Roman Angelo has dominated the mound since becoming the regular Saturday afternoon starter for the Bulldogs.
Since taking over the Saturday role, Angelo has recorded 37 strikeouts with a 4-2 record in eight appearances.
Overall, this season, Angelo has tossed 70 strikeouts, 20 more than last season, and has only allowed 34 walks in 74 innings pitched.
Angelo pitched his first career complete game against UNLV at home on May 13, adding a career-high 10 strikeouts to his resume while only allowing three hits, one walk and no earned runs.