FRESNO, Calif. - The Mavericks dropped both games of Thursday's doubleheader at Fresno State as they came up just short 2-1 in a fierce pitcher's duel in game one, followed by another close 3-2 loss in game two.

Omaha (0-5) got its longest start of the season from Caleb Riedel in game one (seven innings pitched) and a strong relief performance from Luke Gainer in game two, but Fresno State (3-2) hung on to win both the opening games of the four-game series.

Game 1
For the third time in four games, Mike Boeve ripped a double to left in the top of the first, only to be left stranded at second. In the bottom of the inning, Riedel looked as sharp as ever, retiring the side on just 11 pitches. This inning would set the tone for the tense pitcher's duel between Riedel and Fresno State's Ixan Anderson that followed.

Over the next four innings, Riedel and Henderson traded zeros. Riedel ultimately retired the first 11 batters he faced, only allowing a single baserunner on a two-out error in the bottom of the fourth. In total, he needed just 61 pitches to get through the first five innings, all without allowing a hit.

Riedel's no hit bid came to an end in the top of the sixth when Michael McKernan doubled to center. McKernan would later come around to score on a sacrifice fly to break up the shutout as well.

Following a scoreless seventh, both starting pitchers would depart the game, with Riedel and Anderson needing only 89 and 88 pitches each to get through seven innings. After the Bulldogs tacked on another run in the eighth, Boeve launched his second double of the day in the top of the ninth to make it 2-1, but it was not enough to keep the Mavericks in it as Fresno State took game one.

Inside the Box Score
This was the 10th appearance of Riedel's career that he allowed one run or less. His 89 pitches are also the fewest he has needed to get through at least seven innings in his career. 

With his two doubles today, Boeve now has 43 doubles in his career, tying him with Alex Schultz for the eighth most in Omaha history.

Game 2
The Mavericks quickly got two men on to start game two, but a 4-6-3 double play got the Bulldogs out of the inning unscathed. Then, in his first start with the Mavericks, Alex Potter had a 1-2-3 first inning before working out of a jam of his own in the second with a couple of strikeouts.

Once again, the Bulldogs struck first as they plated a pair in the bottom of the third, but Eddie Satisky responded two innings later with a leadoff home run to get cut their lead in half. Then, in the top of the sixth, Zach Lechnir had an RBI groundout to tie the game at 2-2, only for Fresno State to come right back and retake the lead in the bottom of the inning on a sac fly. 

For the second game in a row, the Mavericks found themselves down by one in the top of the ninth. With two on and two out, Haiden Hunt hit a sharp liner to right. Unfortunately, it was directly at the right fielder who made the grab and secured the win for Fresno State.

Inside the Box Score
Gainer came in to relieve Potter in the bottom of the third and held the Bulldogs to just one run through 3.2 innings to lower his ERA to 4.05.

Jackson Gordon had a nice bounce-back performance on the mound after allowing five runs in his last outing, firing two shutout innings after coming in for Gainer.

Hunt had the most hits by a Maverick in a single game so far this season after going 3-for-5 in game two. 

Up Next
The Mavericks will play game three of their series at Fresno this Saturday at 5 p.m. Preston Tenney is the probable starter for Omaha, while Jack Anker looks to take the mound for Fresno State.