FRESNO, Calif. – The Columbia baseball team fell to Fresno State, 9-1, in its season debut Friday night.

Sophomore Sean Higgins (0-1) got the ball to start for Columbia (0-1) and took the loss after allowing two runs over an inning-plus before exiting due to an injury. Sophomore Jacob Phelps was a bright spot for the Lions, coming out of the bullpen and throwing two shutout innings, allowing no hits, with no walks and one strikeout in his first career pitching appearance.

Senior Julian Bury furnished a standout performance at the dish, going 2-for-3 with a walk, extending his hitting streak to 16 games dating back to last season. First-year Andy Blake also helped out, going 2-for-4 for the Lions.

Jaimie Arias (1-2) picked up the win for the Bulldogs (4-4), throwing seven innings of one-run ball on five hits with 12 strikeouts.

After falling behind 6-0, Columbia had an opportunity to get back into the game after AJ DiFillipo and Blake notched back-to-back singles to start the top of the fifth. However, Arias buckled down to retire the next three in order and Fresno State tacked on two more in the bottom of the inning and a final score in the sixth before Phelps closed things out.

The Lions broke up the shutout bid in the seventh inning thanks to Tyler MacGregor's RBI double with one out to plate Blake.

Next up for Columbia is a doubleheader with Fresno State on Saturday, February 29. Game one is slated to begin at 5 p.m. eastern time with the nightcap to follow approximately 30 minutes after the opener.

For the latest on the Columbia baseball, follow @CULionsBaseball on Twitter and Instagram, and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.