Fresno State Athletics
No. 11 Baseball Opens Preseason Action Against Alumni Squad
1/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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Alumni Game Sponsored by Rival Sports Video
On Saturday the Bulldogs will hold their annual Alumni/Old-Timers games sponsored by Rival Sports Video. The Old-Timers game will begin at noon and the Alumni game will start at 2 p.m. Last year the Bulldogs snapped a three-game losing streak to the Alumni team by pulling out a 7-6 victory. A then-junior, Jared Walker (Gardnerville, Nev.) hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to give the Bulldogs the win. Among the former Bulldogs that particiapted last season were Shawn Gilbert (1986-87), Eddie Zosky (1987-89), Randy Asadoor (1981-83), Bobby Jones (1989-91), Jeff Weaver (1996-98) and Steve Hosey (1987-89). Rival Sports Video will be taping the games which will be available for purchase throughout the season during Fresno State games.
Bulldogs Begin Preseason Practice
Fresno State began its 2002 practice schedule on Monday, Jan. 14. Along with on-field workouts, the Bulldogs did some conditioning and scrimmaging towards the end of the week. The Bulldogs try for their third consecutive visit to the NCAA tournament this season. FS will be led by a core of seniors in pitchers Bob Runyon (Atwater, Calif.), Zach Minor (Walnut Creek, Calif.), and Francisco Nieves (Oakland, Calif.). Onthe field seniors catcher Brad Harper (Madera, Calif.) and outfielder Tobey Riday-White (Berkeley, Calif.) will provide leadership. Among the newcomers that look to make immediate contributions are junior transfers pitcher David Bair (Merced, Calif.), first baseman Brian Pierce (Clovis, Calif.) and outfielder Brendon Suga (Mililani, Hawaii).
Bulldogs in the Polls
The first poll for the new season was released by Collegiate Baseball. Fresno State debuted at No. 11 on the list. It marks the highest ranking for the Bulldogs since May of 1992 when they also reached No. 11. Among the 2002 Bulldog opponents that are ranked in the top 25 include No. 1 Stanford, No. 12 Rice, No. 13 Nebraska and No. 17 Cal State Fullerton. Fresno State received a No. 22 ranking in the Coaches' Poll. Last season Fresno State went 3-8 against top 25 opponents.
Pete Beiden Statue Day
On April 20, legendary Fresno State baseball coach, Pete Beiden, will honored with the unveiling of a statue at Beiden Field. The statue will be approximately seven feet tall on a three foot base. It will feature Beiden with his infamous fungo bat in hand watching over the crowd as they enter the stadium. The Bulldogs will face Nevada that day at 7:05 p.m. The ceremony will be held prior to the game.
Bulldogs Picked First in the WAC by Collegiate Baseball Fresno State was picked to win the WAC title in Collegiate Baseball's preseason poll. The Bulldogs were picked ahead No. 12 Rice and Nevada. Last season FS finished second behind the Owls. RHP Bob Runyon was selected as the preseason WAC Pitcher of the Year and Rice 3B Hunter Brown was selected as preseason WAC Player of the Year. Last season SS Josh Labandeira was WAC Player of the Year becoming the first Bulldog to ever win the award.
WAC Preseason Poll by Collegiate Baseball
1. Fresno State
2. Rice
3. Nevada
4. San Jose State
5. Hawai'i
6. Louisiana Tech
WAC Preseason Poll
1. Rice
2. Fresno State
3. Nevada
4. San Jose State
5. Hawai'i
6. Louisiana Tech
Aces in the Deck
Last season the Bulldogs had three pitchers take most of the load, each going over 100 innings. The good news is they're all back to do it again. Seniors Bob Runyon (Atwater, Calif.), Zach Minor (Walnut Creek, Calif.) and Francisco Nieves (Oakland, Calif.) were one, two, three in several pitching categories including innings pitched, wins and complete games. Runyon led the staff going 10-1 with a 3.54 ERA, four complete games, 93 strikeouts and 127 innings pitched.
The Runyon File
Runyon's consistency from last season has propelled him to several preseason awards in the preseason. He was voted second-team preseason All-America by the NCBWA (National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association) and third-team by Collegiate Baseball. Runyon earned national attention last season in the NCAA Regionals when he threw a complete-game gem against Oral Roberts to keep Fresno State alive in the tournament. He allowed just one run and fanned seven batters. In 2001, Runyon was a secon-team All-WAC selection.
Ready to Break Out
Junior Ben Fritz (San Jose, Calif.) has proven to be Fresno State's most versatile player filling any role he is called upon. The P/C/1B/DH has excelled in all positions throwing out over 50 percent of runners, saving seven games and hitting over .280 last season. Fritz needs 11 more saves to break the Bulldogs all-time mark of 17. This past summer Fritz showcased his talents in the Alaska League for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots, guiding them to a National Baseball Congress World Series title along with Bulldog teammate Zach Minor. He was voted Summer League first team All America by Baseball America. Fritz was voted to the preseason All-WAC team as a DH and relief pitcher, being the only player named to two positions.
Super Sophomore
Casey McGehee (Aptos, Calif.) will try to avoid the "sophomore jinx" clich? and continue building on his first year success that landed him freshman All-America honorable mention and second team All-WAC honors. Last season, McGehee started 62 of the 64 games he played in with a .324 BA, five home runs and 50 RBIs. McGehee finished third on the team in several offensive categories including runs scored (45), hits (80), RBIs and total bases (117). The right-handed slugger made his presence felt in the biggest game of his life. Against Pepperdine in the NCAA Regionals last year, McGehee exploded for four RBIs including a two-run homer to help the Bulldogs defeat the Waves 8-6 and keep Fresno State alive in the regionals. This season he will make the switch to his natural position at third base after playing in the outfield last season.
Revamped Infield
The Bulldogs will have a fresh new look in the infield for the 2002 season. After the departures of SS Josh Labandeira, 1B Brandon Gemoll, 2B Oscar Lopez and 3B Nick Garcia, the Bulldogs will have a new regular at each spot. At third base, sophomore Casey McGehee will be making the switch from the outfield. The double-play combination will feature sophomore Scott Beshears (Fresno, Calif.) at second base and sophomore Chris Patrick (Fresno, Calif.) at shortstop. At first base newcomers freshman Kyle Atrat (Clovis, Calif.) and junior transfer Brian Pierce (Clovis, Calif.) will both look to contribute. Others that also look to challenge for playing time in the infield include freshmen Carl Lipsey (Fresno, Calif.), Jordan Prieto (Clovis, Calif.) and junior transfer T.J. Boyd (Kingsburg, Calif.).
End of an Era
2002 will mark the end of an illustrious coaching career by one of college baseball's legends, Bob Bennett. Coach Bennett is in his 34th and final season that has seen him win numerous awards, make two College World Series appearances and have 31 players go on to the Major League level. Bennett remains as solid today as he was 35 years ago coming off WAC Coach of the Year accolades from last season.
What About Bob?
Bob Bennett remains as consistent today as he did when he took over the reigns in 1967. Coach Bennett earned his third career WAC Coach of the Year honor last season guiding the Bulldogs to their second consecutive 40+ win season. Since 1987 the Bulldogs have won at least 33 games. Bennett has guided Fresno State to 25 consecutive winning seasons.
Bulldogs in the NCAA Tournament
Fresno State will look to make its 29th appearance in the NCAA tournament in program history. The Bulldogs have qualified for the tournament the past two seasons but have failed to advance each time. FS has not advanced past the regionals since 1991 when they reached the College World Series. The Bulldogs are 48-54 all-time in postseason play with a 4-6 mark in three College World Series appearances (1959, 1988 and 1991). Last season the squad traveled to Los Angeles for the NCAA Regionals and won two straight after losing the first game. Host team, USC, eliminated the Bulldogs with a 8-0 shutout. Under Bennett, the Bulldogs have made 21 NCAA tournament appearances and two College World Series appearances.
