Start of the game
UC-Irvine starts its ace, left-handed pitcher Daniel Bibona, who is 11-1 with a 2.65 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 98 1/3 innings.

The biggest lineup adjustment Fresno State has made to counter the lefty on the mound is starting right-handed hitter Steve Detwiler, who is hitting .227 with five homers and 25 RBIs. Detwiler is hitting cleanup.

Also, right-handed hitter Jake Johnson is starting at first over left-handed hitter Jordan Ribera, who was the Western Athletic Conference tournament MVP.

Johnson is hitting sixth.

In all, Fresno State has three left-handed hitters -- No. 3 hitter Tommy Mendonca, No. 5 hitter Brennan Gowens and No. 8 hitter Trent Garrison. Leadoff hitter Danny Muno is a switch hitter and is batting from the right side.

Top of the first inning recap

Leadoff hitter Danny Muno grounded out to short
Dusty Robinson strikes out swinging
Tommy Mendonca strikes out looking

Also...
Fresno State has gone with freshman Derek Benny to start the first game, instead of junior Matt Morse.

Benny comes into the game at 4-3 with a 5.02 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 80 2/3 innings. His claim to fame this season has been a two-hit shutout he pitched earlier in the year. In that outing, Benny faced the minimum number of batters at 27.