Fresno State Athletics
Perseverance Equals Improvement
4/27/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Entering the weekend series with San Jose State, the No. 15 Bulldogs are coming off an exciting 6-5 comeback victory against San Francisco. Fourteen of the Bulldogs' 33 wins this season have been of the come-from-behind variety. Someone who does not show up in the headlines and has done his fair share of contributing this year is senior outfielder Mike Bowlin.
He grew up in San Jose, playing on the varsity squad for Piedmont Hills High School for two seasons. Bowlin hit a sterling .415 with 13 home runs and 70 RBIs during his high school career. Of his 13 round-trippers, 10 came in his senior campaign, a school record. He was named Mount Hamilton Conference Most Valuable Player and earned first team all-league and all-area accolades as a prep senior.
In his second season at Fresno State, Bowlin has been a constant in the Fresno State lineup. Although Bowlin struggled in his first season as Bulldog, he has not come out of nowhere this season.
Last year, Bowlin played in 33 contests, starting 21. He hit .266 and had five-game hitting streaks twice.
However, it is apparent this year has been more rewarding for Bowlin. He has been productive from the sixth slot in the lineup batting .321. Bowlin is tied for the team lead with 16 doubles and is tops on the club with four triples.
There are several explanations for Bowlin's improvement this season. He said he believes the main reason is because he is having fun on the diamond again.
"I have been relaxed," Bowlin said. "I had a lot of problems with my mechanics last year. I also feel like I have a firm role this season. We have a very solid ballclub and that has helped as well. It's a lot of fun playing with guys who have such winning attitudes."
It is ironic the Bulldogs will play San Jose State in a battle for first place in the WAC this weekend. Not only did Bowlin grow up in the Bay Area, he also played at San Jose City College. He hit .350 with 11 home runs and had 75 RBIs as the team's center fielder in two seasons.
Head coach Bob Bennett said Bowlin has a strong arm and takes good angles on balls hit down the line and in the gaps. He is the regular starter in right field, committing only two errors in 79 chances. Bowlin also can fill in at any outfield position.
"He is versatile in many ways," Bennett said. "He's an asset because he can also fill in as our center fielder if we want to use someone in right."
Traveling the junior college route and experiencing the death of his father following his freshman season has taught Bowlin the importance of persistence. He has developed into a player who makes the Bulldog lineup dangerous from top to bottom.
"Mike has become comfortable in our program," Bennett said. "Coming from a JC, he took some time to adjust. Now he has really sold into our system."
Bennett said he believes Bowlin is flourishing in a role of anonymity. Batting sixth in the order most of the season has given Bowlin the opportunity get good pitches to hit. As a result of his patience an acceptance of his role, he has quietly been a main cog in the Bulldogs' attack.
"Batting in the sixth hole is an RBI spot," Bennett said. "He is in many situations to drive in runs and move runners on the bases. I think he's been successful in that slot because he came out with a lot of intensity at the beginning of the season and has been consistently productive there all year long."
Bowlin has had career-best hitting streaks of seven games twice, registered 14 multi-hit games and recorded 11 multi-RBI contests this season. In one of his best three-game sets as a Bulldog, Bowlin proved what he is capable of. From March 2-4, Hawai'i-Hilo invaded Pete Beiden Field for a series in which Bowlin scorched the Vulcans by hitting .700 (7-for-10) with five runs scored, three doubles, one triple and three RBIs.
Not only has Bowlin been a Bulldog leader on the stat sheet, but he has in the clubhouse as well. He brings experience and a tough mentality that has set the tone for the newcomers to the program.
"I'm not real vocal," Bowlin said. "I just try to lead by example,"
While the crowd may not hear Bowlin's fierce competitiveness, it is definitely visible on the field. No longer can opponents try to survive the heart of the Bulldogs order before getting to the latter half.
--Curtis Webb, Fresno State Media Relations
