Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Begin Season with Annual Dinner
2/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 11, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - The beginning of college baseball season is a week away and the Fresno State baseball team is starting the year off with its annual Double Play Dinner, Golf Tournament and Alumni Game.
The events began early Friday morning with the annual Dugout Club Golf Tournament at Eagle Springs Golf & Country Club.
Everyone from former players, coaches and fans spent all morning golfing and reliving their favorite Bulldog moments at Beiden Field. The day ended with the annual Double Play Dinner at Pardini's.
At the dinner, the 2010 team received their championship ring for winning their fifth-straight WAC title. The 2011 newcomers were introduced and the seniors told the crowd of over 350 their thoughts of the upcoming season.
The coaches also handed out the 2010 team awards that were voted on by the players. After leading the nation in home runs last season, Jordan Ribera was selected the team MVP. The senior earned multiple All-American honors last season and was named the WAC Player of the Year. Ribera hit .343 with 20 doubles, two triples and 27 home runs.
Brennan Gowens was voted the Gold Glove. The two-year starter in center field committed only three errors in 63 games. Gowens was selected to the WAC All-Tournament team. He hit .359 with 19 doubles, three triples and four home runs.
Greg Gonzalez was named the Outstanding Pitcher. The senior became the 8th Bulldog in school history to throw a no-hitter. Gonzalez led the team in strikeouts with 73 and eight wins. He was named first-team All-WAC at the end of the 2010 season.
Rookie of the Year was Garrett Weber. The senior hit a team high .387 with 14 doubles and a home run. He started every game at either third base or short stop. Weber also stole nine bases and was named second-team All-WAC.
And the Scholar Athlete award went to Cody Kendall for the second year in a row. The junior is a two-time Academic All-WAC athlete. Last year, he compiled a 4-3 record and 33 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched.
Also, being honored tonight were the 2011 Wall of Fame inductees Steve Vondran and Buzz Nitschke. Vondran left a legacy as one of the best and most versatile players in Fresno State history. He played for the Dogs in 1988-89. His first year in the Bulldog uniform, Vondran hit 16 home runs, 10 doubles and 45 RBIs. In his final season, Vondran hit .388 with 11 home runs and 67 RBIs.
Nitschke played for the Dogs in 1965-67. He was an all-conference catcher in 1967 and was behind home plate to catch the only perfect game in Fresno State history.
The weekend concludes with annual Alumni game on Saturday, Feb. 12 at Beiden Field. First pitch is at 2:05 p.m.
"We Are Your Team!" The Dogs open the 2011 season on Feb. 18 at 6:05 p.m. against Gonzaga. The weekend continues with Gonzaga on Feb. 19 at 6:05 p.m. The Dogs also face two-time National Champions Oregon State Feb. 20-21 at Beiden Field.
