Fresno State Athletics
July 25: John Hoover Named NCAA Pitcher of the Year
7/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 25, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State Athletics has had many memorable moments during its history. Each day during the month of July, Gobulldogs.com will highlight a great moment from Fresno State Athletics history.
July 25: John Hoover Named NCAA Pitcher of the Year
John Hoover had a record setting year in 1984 as he pitched an NCAA record 19 complete while compiling an 18-3 record with a 2.09 era. He still holds an NCAA record for most complete games with 42 from 1981-84. The former Bulldog pitcher led the nation in strikeouts during the regular season with 203 and he was named the Northern California Baseball Association Pitcher of the Year.
"All the records he has set this year are impressive," Fresno State coach Bob Bennett said. "He has completed more games than anybody who has ever played college baseball. He has won more games than any pitcher at Fresno State and there have been some very good ones."
Hoover helped lead the Bulldogs to 22 straight wins and a 54-12-1 record. He was named to the Converse All-America Baseball Team and he set the school record for wins, a record he still holds today with 44. The record he previously broke was held by Dan Grimm, who had 30 wins from 1971-74. The record breaking win came in a 6-3 victory at San Jose State.
Hoover has pitched more innings (494) than any other Bulldog pitcher. His 18 wins in 1984 is a single-season school record that still stands today.
He was named MVP of the Best in the West Classic where he went 2-0 with 28 strikeouts, 16 coming against Oregon State and 12 against BYU.
The Bulldogs finished 28-2 in the Northern California Baseball Association and opened play in Beiden Field during the season in front of a crowd of 4,134 fans.
Hoover was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles with the 25th pick in the first round.
Coming tomorrow: July 26- The 1988 baseball team wins a school record 56 games and goes on a record 32-game winning streak.
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