Oregon Falls Despite Historic Homer From Kreitz

Sunday, March 1

Eugene, Ore.

1:00 PM

University of Oregon

3-3

Fresno State

3-4

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Fresno State	0	0	6	2	0	0	0	0	2	10	10	2
Oregon Ducks	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	3	6	1

Photo by: Tod Fierner

03/02/09 | Baseball

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

EUGENE, Ore. ? Oregon trailed 15th-ranked Fresno State by eight runs entering the bottom of the ninth on Sunday, as redshirt freshman and Eugene native Antony Kreitz approached the plate.

In his first at-bat of the year, Kreitz cemented his name in the record books with Oregon's first home run out of PK Park, hammering a ball over the left field fence.

But Kreitz's effort couldn't change the outcome for the Ducks, as Oregon ended its three-game series with the defending College World Series champion Fresno State Bulldogs, falling 10-3 Sunday afternoon at PK Park.

Oregon's record in 2009 now rests at 3-3, as the Ducks win their first series of the year 2-1, after taking games from the Bulldogs on Friday, 1-0, and Saturday, 7-1.

Fresno State improves to 3-4 on the year.

Bulldog starter Jake Floethe earned his first win on the season, allowing one unearned run on four hits in 6 and 2/3 innings of work, while Western Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year, Tom Mendonca, homered twice in Fresno State's win.

The Bulldogs did the majority of their damage in the third inning, as Fresno State batted around in the third and put six runs up on the scoreboard to take a 6-1 lead.

After retiring the sides in the first and second innings, and racking up four strikeouts, Oregon starter Bennett Whitmore surrendered a single to Dusty Robinson and then walked Danny Grubb to lead off the third. After Whitmore struck out Ryan Allgrove, a single from Danny Muno plated Robinson. Gavin Hedstrom's well-placed bunt loaded the bases with one out for Alan Ahmady, who provided a two-run single to center field. With three runs already on the board, Mendonca cleared the bases with a three-run shot to right center.

In the fourth, Robinson again led off for the Bulldogs with a double to left field. Two batters later, Kenny Wise doubled to right field to bring Robinson home. Muno then singled, and an error in left field allowed Wise to score as Fresno State took a commanding 8-1 lead.

Mendonca added a two-run shot over the right field wall in the top of the ninth as well.

Whitmore (0-2) took the loss for Oregon, allowing seven runs on six hits in three innings on the mound.

The Ducks took the first lead of game in the second, as two fielding errors in the inning by Fresno State allowed Eddy Rodriguez to score for the Ducks.

Oregon added a run in the sixth when freshman shortstop KC Serna doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Rodriguez, currently on a six-game hitting streak, doubled to right field to bring Serna across the plate.

The Ducks now travel to Washington for two-non conference game with the Huskies. First game is set for a 5 p.m. start Tuesday, and the second is slated for 3 p.m., Wednesday.

Oregon returns to PK Park next weekend for a four-game series with visiting Santa Clara.

Notes: In addition to Kreitz, freshman catcher Paul Eshleman and junior outfielder Kenny Bartz also had their first at-bats of the year...freshman Joey Housey made his first appearance on the mound.