Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Host Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic
3/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 4, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team hosts the 31st Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic March 9-14.This year's tournament features Buffalo, Portland, Cal State Bakersfield and Fresno State.
"We are proud of our long standing partnership with both Pepsi and Johnny Quik stores," said head coach Mike Batesole. "They present us with a unique opportunity to play 6 games in 6 days. This grind is great for our players. We can't wait to get to the ballpark night after night."
The four teams will play a game a day playing each school twice. Fresno State plays at 6:05 p.m. each day and the other game will be played at 2 p.m.
The Dugout Club will host a Coaches Luncheon on Wednesday, March 11. The luncheon will be held in the Centerfield Pavilion. The cost is $10 and lunch will be served at 1145 a.m. until 1230 p.m. Dugout Club members will be selling tickets for the luncheon on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in front of the Pete Beiden Statue.
The inaugural tournament held in 1978 featured Cal State Los Angeles, Oregon State and Portland State. The Bulldogs won all six games and claimed the first championship.
The tournament has been held each year since 1978, except for 1980. Over the years, the tournament has been known as the Central Valley Baseball Tournament (1978-81), the Best in the West Classic (1982-83), the Pepsi-Me-n-Ed's Classic (1984-90) and its current title, the Pepsi-Johnny Quik Classic.
Fresno State has won 16 championships including titles in eight of the last 12 years. In addition, the Bulldogs have finished second eight times.
The list of future major league players to appear in the tournament is impressive. Wally Joyner (BYU, 1983), Cory Snyder (BYU, 1983-84), Chuck Knoblauch (Texas A&M, 1988), John Olerud (Washington State, 1988), Aaron Sele (Washington State, 1989), Darin Erstad (Nebraska, 1994), Adam Kennedy (Cal State Northridge, 1997) and Jason Bay (Gonzaga, 1999) have all made their way to Fresno for the tournament.
Tournament Schedule
Monday, March 9
2:00 pm Bakersfield vs. Buffalo
6:05 pm Portland vs. Fresno State
Tuesday, March 10
2:00 pm Buffalo vs. Portland
6:05 pm Bakersfield vs. Fresno State
Wednesday, March 11
2:00 pm Bakersfield vs. Portland
6:05 pm Buffalo vs. Fresno State
Thursday, March 12
2:00 pm Buffalo vs. Bakersfield
6:05 pm Portland vs. Fresno State
Friday, March 13
2:00 pm Portland vs. Buffalo
6:05 pm Bakersfield vs. Fresno State
Saturday, March 14
2:00 pm Portland vs. Bakersfield
6:05 pm Buffalo vs. Fresno State
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs return to Beiden Field March 7-8 to host Buffalo in a two game weekend series. The `Dogs and Bulls will square off Saturday at 2:05 and Sunday at 1:05. The first 1,000 fans through the gates each day will receive a 2009 schedule magnet compliments of Bohlken A/C. All kids can run the bases after Sunday's game. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
