Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada
Baseball Wins Third Straight WAC Title
5/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 25, 2008
RUSTON, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team captured its third straight WAC tournament championship on Sunday by defeating the University of Nevada 6-4 at Pat Patterson Park on the campus of Louisiana Tech. Fresno State went a perfect 4-0 in this year's WAC tournament and they are now 12-0 in the tournament over the last three years.
The win guarantees the Bulldogs will make their third straight appearance at an NCAA regional and it is the first time since 1997 that Fresno State has gone to three or more consecutive regional's.
"It is always your goal when coming into a program to leave it better," Fresno State senior WAC Player of the Year Steve Susdorf said. "To win three straight WAC titles, three straight tournament titles and go to three straight regional's is definitely leaving the program better."
Holden Sprague earned the win as he pitched five and 1/3 inning, allowing only three hits, giving up two runs and striking out three.
"He did a fantastic job," Fresno State second baseman Erik Wetzel said. "Today was the hardest day because of how hot it was. It made it really difficult. He kept it together. We were blessed to have him do such a great job."
Justin Wilson pitched the next two innings and Brandon Burke came in and earned his 10th save of the season and his third save of the WAC tournament by pitching the final one and 2/3 inning where he allowed no hits and one strike out.
Fresno State had 12 hits for the game with six coming from Danny Muno and Tommy Mendonca. Both players went 3 for 4 while Mendonca had two RBIs. Gavin Hedstrom had two hits with one RBI.
"This was a great team win," Fresno State coach Mike Batesole said. "That is how this whole tournament has been. Of the three in a row this was by far and away the toughest. This team has played their hearts off every day."
Alan Ahmady, Wilson and Susdorf were named to the All-Tournament team with Susdorf garnering Tournament MVP honors.
The Bulldogs fell behind 2-0 after the fourth inning thanks to two solo homeruns by the Wolf Pack in the second and third innings. But in the fifth inning the Bulldogs offense came alive as they scored five runs with two outs to take the lead for good. Nevada pitcher Chris Garcia was tagged with four of the runs.
Muno started the attack with a double to right-center. Hedstrom then followed with an RBI single to center field and Wetzel continued the offensive fireworks when he blasted a double down the left field line, scoring Hedstrom and tying the game at two. Susdorf and Ahmady then each walked to load the bases.
Steve Detwiler scored Wetzel on a fielder's choice and Mendonca followed with a two RBI single to center field to finish the scoring for Fresno State in the inning.
"We kept taking good at bats," Wetzel said. "We knew what he was going to throw and by the third time around we finally figured it out. It came together really well."
The Bulldogs added another run in the sixth to take a 6-3 lead. Nevada scored a run in the seventh and eighth innings to cut the Fresno State lead to 6-4.
All-Tournament Team
Catcher - Tyson Jaquez, Nevada
First Base - Alan Ahmady, Fresno State
Second Base - David Ciarlo, Nevada
Shortstop - Kevin Rodland, Nevada
Third Base - Jason Rodriguez, Nevada
Outfield - Steve Susdorf, Fresno State
Outfield - Brandon Haislet, Hawai`i
Outfield - Jeffrey Van Doornum, Hawai`i
Designated Hitter - Terry Walsh, Nevada
Pitcher - Justin Wilson, Fresno State
Pitcher - Rod Scurry, Nevada
MVP - Steve Susdorf, Fresno State
"Join the State - Fresno State" For ticket information on regional play click on the tickets link at the top of the page.
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