FRESNO, Calif. (Interstat) — Sky Collins launched a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning Tuesday, capping a comeback from an early six-run deficit and propelling the Fresno State Bulldogs to a 10-6 victory over the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners at Selland Arena.

The Bulldogs, who trailed 6-0 after the top of the first inning, sent 11 batters to the plate in a five-run second to begin the climb back before Collins delivered the decisive blow.

Cal State Bakersfield (15-21) struck immediately against Fresno State starter Arreola, who recorded just one out. After a flyout and a single, Devon Wilkes hammered a two-run homer to deep right field. The Roadrunners then loaded the bases with a walk and two more singles, prompting a pitching change. Reliever Weston Thornbury limited the damage, but not before four more runs crossed the plate on a combination of hits, walks and a sacrifice fly, staking the Roadrunners to a commanding 6-0 lead.

Fresno State (11-22) answered emphatically in the bottom of the second. Jett Ruby sliced a two-run triple down the right field line, and Brady Hewitt followed with an RBI single to make it 6-3. The Bulldogs continued chipping away in the fourth, with Hewitt driving in another run with a single and Drew May adding an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6-5.

The game turned in the bottom of the seventh. With two on and one out against Roadrunners reliever Jackson, Collins connected for his second home run of the season, a deep drive to left field that scored Nathaniel Nolen and Cam Boyd ahead of him, giving Fresno State its first lead at 8-6.

The Bulldogs added insurance in the eighth on an RBI single from May and a run-scoring triple from Boyd to secure the final margin.

Wilkes was the standout for Cal State Bakersfield, finishing 3 for 5 with a home run, a double and three RBIs. The Roadrunners outhit the Bulldogs 13 to 12 but stranded 14 baserunners.

Fresno State’s bullpen was instrumental in the win. After the rocky start, Thornbury, Justin Cuellar, Crystal, Rodriguez and Jordan Haver combined for 8 2/3 innings of relief, allowing just two earned runs. Haver earned the victory with three scoreless innings, striking out four. Nathaniel Pimentel and Jeter Schuerman provided scoreless relief outings for Cal State Bakersfield.

The comeback victory defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 5-2 Roadrunners win, though the service’s ELO system gave Fresno State a 70.9% probability to win.

Cal State Bakersfield opens a three-game home series against Hawaii on Friday. Fresno State begins a three-game set against San Jose State at home, also on Friday.