2008 Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team

Last updated

2008 Fresno State Bulldogs baseball
Fresno State Bulldogs baseball logo.svg
NCAA Champions
WAC Champions
WAC Tournament champions
Conference Western Athletic Conference
Record47-31 (21-11 WAC)
Head coach
Home stadium Beiden Field
Seasons
 2007
2009 

The 2008 Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team represented California State University, Fresno in the NCAA Division I baseball season of 2008. They played their home games at Beiden Field in Fresno, California. The team was coached by Mike Batesole who was in his fifth season at Fresno State. Under Batesole, Fresno State has won three Western Athletic Conference championships in a row, and he has a 172-134 record with the Bulldogs.

Contents

In a Cinderella run through the postseason, the Fresno State Bulldogs defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2008 College World Series finals to win its first NCAA Division I Championship in baseball. This led to their 3rd national championship in the NCAA organization, adding to their championships in Softball (1998) and Men's Track & Field (1964-Division II).

Schedule and results

Before the season occurred, Fresno State entered the season ranked in the Collegiate Baseball newspaper's Fabulous 40 for the third consecutive season, at #21. [1] Fresno State was also ranked #21 by the preseason magazine Baseball America. [2] Fresno State also was preseason pick of the WAC coaches as the favorite to win the 2008 season; additionally, seven players were selected to the Preseason All-WAC Team, including the preseason Player of the Year Steve Susdorf and Pitcher of the Year Clayton Allison [3]

2008 Fresno State Bulldogs baseball game log
Regular season
Postseason

Roster

Coaches

NameTitleFirst Season at Fresno StateAlma Mater
Mike Batesole [4] Head coach2003Fullerton State University (1990)
Pat Waer [5] Assistant coach2006Washington State University (1995)
Matt Curtis [6] Assistant coach2002Fresno State University (1996)
Mike Mayne [7] Assistant coach2007University of California—Riverside (1968)

Players

No.PlayersPositionYearHt/wtBats/throwsHometown (last school)
3Erik WetzelINFJR6-1/180R/RChino, CA (Don Lugo HS)
4Danny GrubbCJR5-11/185R/ROrange, CA (Orange Lutheran HS)
5Trent SoaresOFFR6-0/180L/RFresno, CA (San Joaquin Memorial High School)
7Nick HomINFFR6-0/180R/RBenicia, CA (De La Salle HS)
9Alan AhmadyINFSO5-11/195R/RFresno, CA (Clovis West HS)
10Jason BreckleyRHPSR6-1/220R/RMoorpark, CA (Moorpark HS)
11Todd SandellINFSR6-2/190R/RSomis, CA (Camarillo HS)
14 Tanner Scheppers RHPJR6-4/220R/RLaguna Niguel, CA (Dana Hills HS)
15Steve DetwilerOFSO6-1/220R/RForest Knolls, CA (San Rafael HS)
16 Danny Muno INFFR5-11/170S/RThousand Oaks, CA (Loyola HS)
19Jordan RiberaINFFR6-0/220L/RFresno, CA (Clovis West HS)
21 Justin Wilson LHPJR6-3/210L/LClovis, CA (Buchanan HS)
24 Ryan Overland CSR6-2/200L/RAtascadero, CA (Atascadero HS)
25Brandon BurkeRHPSR6-3/200R/RSan Diego, CA (Rancho Bernardo HS)
27 Steve Susdorf OFSR6-1/195L/LNewhall, CA (Hart HS)
29Gavin HedstromOFJR6-1/190R/RIrvine, CA (Woodbridge HS)
30Blake AmadorOFSR6-0/190L/LTurlock, CA (Modesto JC/UNLV)
32 Tommy Mendonca INFSO6-1/200L/RTurlock, CA (Turlock HS)
33 Justin Miller RHPJR6-5/195R/RBakersfield, CA (Bakersfield College)
34Jake JohnsonCFR6-2/205R/RLa Mirada, CA (La Mirada HS)
37Sean BonesteeleRHPSO6-5/220R/RSanta Ana, CA (Foothill HS)
38Jake FloetheRHPFR6-3/195R/RLafayette, CA (Acalanes HS)
40Clayton AllisonRHPSR6-5/230R/RVisalia, CA (College of the Sequoias)
42Gene EscatRHPFR6-5/190R/RHanford, CA (Hanford HS)
43Kris TomlinsonLHPJR6-0/180L/LVisalia, CA (Golden West HS)
47Holden SpragueRHPJR6-2/210R/RFresno, CA (Bullard HS)
50Jake HowerRHPSR6-4/190R/RRoseville, CA (American River CC)

Awards and honors

PlayerAward/Honor
Clayton AllisonWAC Pitcher of the Week (April 16 - April 27) [8]
Alan AhmadyWAC Player of the Week and NCWBA National Player of the Week (March 24 - March 30), First-Team All-WAC, WAC All-Tournament Team.
Steve SusdorfWAC Player of the Week (April 16 - April 27),First-Team All-WAC [8] WAC Player of the Year 2008, [9] ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American [10]
Justin WilsonWAC Pitcher of the Week (May 7 - May 13) [11]
Mike BatesoleNCBWA National Coach of the Year Award [12]

2008 Major League Baseball draft

The following members of the 2008 Fresno State baseball team were drafted in the 2008 MLB draft.

PlayerPositionOverallMLB team
Justin WilsonLHP144 Pittsburgh Pirates
Erik Wetzel2B407 Colorado Rockies
Justin MillerRHP483 Texas Rangers
Steven SusdorfOF586 Philadelphia Phillies
Clayton AllisonRHP817 Los Angeles Dodgers

References

  1. "Fresno State Ranked 21st in Preseason Baseball Poll". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
  2. Baseball America Preseason College Top 25
  3. "WAC Baseball Preseason Poll and All-WAC Team Announced". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
  4. Player Bio: Mike Batesole @ GoBulldogs.com
  5. Pat Waer Bio @ GoBulldogs.com
  6. Pat Waer Bio @ GoBulldogs.com
  7. Mike Mayne Bio @ GoBulldogs.com
  8. 1 2 "Fresno State Sweeps Player of the Week Awards". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
  9. The College Baseball Blog | 2008 WAC All-Conference Teams Announced
  10. ESPN - Susdorf, Bulldogs thriving in role as underdogs on road to Omaha - College Sports
  11. "WAC Announces Baseball Players of the Week". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
  12. Batesole Named National Coach of the Year