Fresno State Athletics
Baseball Home Finale Against Hawai'i
5/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 6, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State baseball team hosts Hawai'i in the last home series of the 2009 season. The Bulldog offense is 33rd in the country in home runs hit with 61. All-time Fresno State home run leader Tom Mendonca is fifth in the nation with 20 home runs and is three behind the national leader.
The `Dogs have a 22-25 overall mark and a 6-10 conference mark. This weekend is the last chance to see the Bulldogs in action at Beiden Field with Carl's Jr. as its sponsor.
Fresno State vs. Hawai'i
Fresno State leads the overall series against Hawai'i 66-42. The two teams played five times in 2008. The `Dogs split a four-game series in Hawai'i. The last meeting between the schools was at the WAC Tournament in Ruston, La. The Bulldogs beat Hawai'i, 11-4, to advance in the tournament.
About The `Bows
Hawai'i is 9-10 in conference play and has an overall mark of 26-20. The `Bows hosted La Tech over the weekend and suffered their first sweep of the year. Kevin MacDonald leads the way with 12 home runs, 52 RBIs while batting .276. Kolten Wong has the best average on the team hitting .354. The `Bows pitching staff has a combined ERA of 5.59 with 271 strikeouts. Starter Jayson Kramer has a 4-4 record in 11 appearances with a 3.48 ERA.
Celebrating The Home Run King
Friday, May 8, the Bulldogs will honor Tom Mendonca for breaking the all-time Fresno State home run record. The junior broke the record on April 18, when he knocked one out of the park off the scoreboard at Louisiana Tech. A special ceremony will take place before the game to honor Mendonca's new record.
Senior Farewell
Senior day will be held on Saturday, May 9, honoring the three Bulldog seniors. Holden Sprague, Gavin Hedstrom and Danny Grubb are graduating this year after winning three WAC League Championships, three WAC Tournament Championships and helping win the program's first National Championship.
Batesole Nears 500
In his 14th year as a head coach, Mike Batesole is three wins away from earning his 500th victory. Batesole has led his team to five conference titles (four WAC and one Big West) and in 2008 won his first national title with the Bulldogs.
Largest Mascot
The World's Largest Recyclable College Mascot will be unveiled at a Fresno State baseball game on May 9, 2009. A group of marketing students constructed a Bulldog out of recyclable material and scrap metal, Chris Sorenson aided in the construction of the giant bulldog. The public is invited to view the Mascot from 12 - 2 p. m.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs return to Beiden Field as they host WAC rival Nevada May 1-3. The `Dogs and Wolfpack square off for a single game Friday at 6:05 pm, a doubleheader starting at 2:05 pm Saturday and wrap up the series Sunday at 1:05 pm. One lucky Fresno State student will win an iPod Touch. Saturday's game features a Community Food Bank food drive. The first 250 fans who bring five or more non-perishable food items to the game will receive FREE admission. Sunday is Youth Baseball Day and all youth baseball players in uniform are invited to take the field for the National Anthem. There will also be a post-game autograph session. For more information on Youth Baseball Day visit gobulldogs.com. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Bulldog Ticket Office, calling 278-DOGS or online at gobulldogs.com.
