Fresno State Athletics
Early Awards Roll in for Baseball
12/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Dec. 22, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The season is still a couple months away, but Fresno State baseball is drawing national attention early. Both Dusty Robinson and Danny Muno earned Preseason All-American honors. Muno was named a preseason first-team All-American second baseman by Louisville Slugger and Robinson was named a preseason third-team All-American by the National College Baseball Writers Association.
Robinson had a monster freshman campaign with the Bulldogs in 2009. This is the first preseason award for the sophomore. Robinson is one of three Western Athletic Conference athletes to be honored by NCBWA.
"Dusty (Robinson) is a gamer and a five tool player," said head coach Mike Batesole. "He runs, throws, is an outstanding outfielder, he hits and has power, but what really separates him is his toughness. That grit and unselfishness is what makes him a great teammate!"
Last season, Robinson earned a spot into the starting lineup playing left field for the Bulldogs. Robinson earned four Freshman All-American accolades from Baseball America, NCBWA, Ping! and Louisville Slugger The outfielder started in 52 games as a freshman and hit .319 with 15 home runs. Robinson also had 45 RBIs.
Muno earned his first preseason All-American honor entering his junior season. The infielder led the team with a batting average of .379. He also led the team with 85 hits and 74 runs. The junior has been a first-team All-WAC selection every year and was named the Freshman of the Year in 2008.
"Danny is a great teammate, he has toughness and he has unmatched discipline," said Batesole. "He is what makes us go. On top of that, he is becoming outstanding with the inside game and a smart base runner. Since he has learned to switch hit, he a has separated himself from any other leadoff man in America. He is well deserving of being noticed as the pre-season best 2nd baseman in college baseball. Let's see where we end up in June."
Muno set a new single-season record for walks with 64 last season. He is the only WAC athlete named to the first-team and is one of three WAC players on all three teams.
Collegiate Baseball Names Bulldogs in Preseason Fabulous 40
Collegiate Baseball released their Fabulous 40 preseason poll and Fresno State ranked 33rd with 417 votes. The Bulldogs are the only Western Athletic Conference school that made the top 40 teams in the preseason poll.
Texas topped the poll with 496 votes. The Longhorns are coached by former Bulldog Augie Garrido.
Two opponents from the `Dogs 2010 schedule earned preseason rankings. San Diego ranked 24 with 441 votes and Dallas Baptist ranked 40 with 397. Cal Poly, Cal, Nebraska, Washington and San Diego State are all teams that Fresno State will face this season and received votes in the preseason poll. Hawai'i and New Mexico State were the only other WAC schools that received votes.
"We Are Your Team"-- The Bulldogs open the season on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in Beiden Field against Nebraska. Log on to gobulldogs.com or call 278-GODogs for ticket information.
