Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Top WAC Poll Again
2/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 2, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - For the fifth-straight year the Western Athletic Conference has released the preseason coaches' poll and Fresno State has been chosen as the favorite to win the conference crown in 2010.The four-time defending WAC champions received five first place votes. In addition, the Bulldogs had four players named to the preseason All-WAC team, which ties for the most of any team in the conference.
"Our non-conference schedule is outstanding with 21 games against Big 12, Big West and Pac 10 opponents leading into league," said head coach Mike Batesole. "The WAC is very good this year and we anticipate it to be a two or three team bid league in 2010. We have received some impressive pre-season recognition and we are excited to get on the field and start earning it."
Junior Danny Muno was selected as the top second baseman and named the Preseason Player of the Year. The two-time All-WAC honoree and 2008 Freshman of the Year, led the Bulldogs in several statistical categories last season. He led the team with a .379 batting average, 74 runs, 85 hits and 25 doubles.
Sophomore Derek Benny was picked as the top pitcher in the league and named the Preseason Pitcher of the Year. He posted a 4-4 record with one save, 58 strikeouts and a 5.09 ERA last season. Benny threw his way into the Fresno State record books after facing the minimum 27 batters against Lipscomb.
Joining Benny and Muno on the Preseason All-WAC team are outfielder Dusty Robinson and catcher Trent Garrison. Robinson earned several 2009 Freshman All-American awards last season and was named a Preseason All-American this year. Garrison took over the role of starting catcher late in the season and caught 13 runners attempting to steal extra bases.
Season, single game and mini-plan tickets for baseball are on sale now by calling (559) 278-DOGS or by logging on to www.gobulldogs.com.
The 48th year of WAC baseball begins Friday, February 19 with the Bulldogs facing Nebraska at 6:05 p.m. at Pete Beiden Field. The WAC Tournament will be held in Mesa, Ariz. at Hohokam Stadium, May 26-29/30. The top six teams will advance to the tournament.
2010 WAC Baseball Coaches' Poll
Rk. Team (1st-Place Votes) Points
1. Fresno State (5) 32
2. New Mexico State (1) 27
3. Hawai'i (1) 26
4. Louisiana Tech 22
5. San Jose State (1) 19
6. Nevada 15
7. Sacramento State 6
Preseason All-WAC Team
OF- Dusty Robinson, So., Fresno State
OF-Sean Montplaisir, Jr., Hawai'i
OF-Westley Moss, Sr., Nevada
OF-Jason Martin, Jr., San Jose State
1B-Shaun Kort, Sr., Nevada
2B- Danny Muno, Jr., Fresno State
SS-Greg Garcia, Jr., Hawai'i
3B-Corey Valine, Sr., San Jose State
C- Trent Garrison, So., Fresno State
UT-Jared Jordan, Sr., New Mexico State
DH-Nick Melino, So., Nevada
SP- Derek Benny, So., Fresno State
SP-Nate Klein, Sr., Hawai'i
SP-Jesse Darrah, So., Sacramento State RP-Tyler Graham, Sr., Nevada
RP-Scott Coffman, So., New Mexico State
Player of the Year
Danny Muno, Jr., Fresno State
Pitcher of the Year
Derek Benny, So., San Jose State
"We Are Your Team" - The `Dogs begin the quest for their fifth-consecutive WAC title and NCAA Tournament berth Friday, February 19, at 6 p.m. as they welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers to Beiden Field. Season tickets are available and can be purchased through the Bulldog Ticket Office, gobulldogs.com or by calling 278-DOGS.
