Fresno State Athletics
WAC Coaches Pick the `Dogs
2/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 10, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team has been selected to finish No. 1 by the seven WAC head coaches. The Bulldogs earned five first place votes with 34 points. Fresno State had four players earn Preseason All-WAC honors.
Tom Mendonca was named the 2009 Preseason WAC Player of the Year after hitting .281 last year with 70 RBIs, 19 home runs and eight doubles. Mendonca, along with senior Gavin Hedstrom, sophomore Danny Muno, and junior Steve Detwiler made preseason All-WAC team.
Hedstrom was seventh in the nation in sacrifice bunts with 18 and hit a grand slam in the Tempe, Ariz. Super Regional. Muno hit .330 with 13 doubles, two triples, and three homeruns. Detwiler contributed two homeruns, a double, and six RBIs in the Championship game against Georgia.
WAC opponents Hawai'i, Nevada and New Mexico State each had three players named to the preseason All-WAC team. Hawai'i senior Jared Alexander was picked the Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
San Jose State ranked second with 29 points followed by Nevada with 26, Hawai'i with 25, New Mexico State with 14 points, Louisiana Tech with 13, and Sacramento State with six.
The Bulldogs open the season against Washington on Feb. 20 at 6:05 in Beiden Field.
2009 WAC BASEBALL COACHES' POLL
1. Fresno St. 34
2. San Jose State 29
3. Nevada 26
4. Hawai'i 25
5. New Mexico St. 14
6. Louisiana Tech 13
7. Sacramento St. 6
PRESEASON ALL-WAC TEAM
OF Gavin Hedstrom, Sr., Fresno State
OF Steve Detwiler, Jr., Fresno State
OF Richard Stout, Sr., New Mexico State
OF Tim Wheeler, Jr., Sacramento State
1B Shaun Kort, Jr., Nevada
2B Matt Bowman, Sr., Nevada
SS Danny Muno, So., Fresno State
3B Tom Mendonca, Jr., Fresno State
C Landon Hernandez, Sr., Hawai'i
UTI Tyson Jaquez, Sr., Nevada
SP Jared Alexander, Sr., Hawai'i
SP Tyler Sturdevant, Sr., New Mexico State
SP Max Peterson, Jr., San Jose State
RP Josh Slaats, So., Hawai'i
RP Erik Nyquist, Sr., New Mexico State
Player of the Year
Tom Mendonca, Jr., Fresno State
Pitcher of the Year
Jared Alexander, Sr., Hawai'i
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The National Championship baseball team kicks off the 2009 season on Friday, February 20 as they host the Pac-10 Washington Huskies. First pitch at Beiden Field is scheduled for 6:05 pm. Join the Bulldogs as they celebrate the 2008 College World Series National Championship. Season tickets, mini plans and single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
