Fresno State Defeats 49ers in Baseball Opener

Fresno State pitcher Jeff Weaver, who earned a bronze medal on the U.S. Olympic baseball team last summer, held Long Beach State to five hits through six innings to help the Bulldogs defeat the 49ers, 7-2, in a nonconference baseball game Friday at Fresno.

Josh Hannah hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the third to give Fresno (1-0) the lead for good, 3-2.

Jason DeCanio and Derrick Levingston also hit home runs against Long Beach starter Marcus Jones. Jones, a junior from Esperanza, gave up only four home runs in 110 innings last season.

Chuck Lopez had two hits and an RBI for the 49ers (0-1), ranked 11th in Collegiate Baseball’s preseason poll. Fresno State is ranked 22nd.

The three-game series continues today and concludes Sunday.

In Big West Conference women’s basketball:

Idaho 63, Cal State Fullerton 59--Melisa McDaniel made two free-throws with nine seconds left to seal the victory for Idaho (9-9, 4-2). Dee Braxton had 21 points and a season-high 17 rebounds for Fullerton (6-11, 1-5).

Alli Nieman had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Idaho (9-9, 4-2).

UC Irvine 72, Boise State 58--Leticia Oseguera had a career-high 31 points and a season-high 16 rebounds for Irvine (9-9, 4-3). Sabrina Roberson added 12 points and Shannon Anders added 11 points and four assists for the Anteaters.

Heidi Umthun scored 16 points for Boise State (6-11, 4-2).

New Mexico State 68, Long Beach State 60--Aimee Periolat had 13 points and seven assists for Long Beach (6-12, 3-4), which led by nine at halftime. Annette Robinson scored 25 points for New Mexico State (7-11, 4-2).

In nonconference women’s basketball:

Chapman 67, Cal Lutheran 58--Stef McNamara had 11 points and 15 rebounds and Melissa Lopez had 11 points for Chapman (13-5), which has won 10 of its last 12 games.

Brandie Murrish scored a game-high 18 points for Cal Lutheran (10-6).

In nonconference men’s basketball:

UC Santa Cruz 85, Chapman 76--Pete Sverkos scored 18 points for the Panthers (11-9), who have lost eight of their last 10 games. Adam Sinton scored 27 points for Santa Cruz (8-7).

Bethany 85, Pacific Christian 72--Chuck Henderson scored 25 points and Jeff Rick added 18 for host Pacific Christian.