Fresno State Athletics
Down Time With Senior Patrick Hutcheson
2/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 10, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. - Senior Patrick Hutcheson has only been with the Fresno State baseball program for one season, but he is already a two-time Academic All-WAC award winner and has both a Western Athletic Conference regular season title and a tournament championship under his belt.
"Hutch has been tremendous since the day he walked on to our campus," said Fresno State head baseball coach Mike Batesole. "He comes from a disciplined family and then from an excellent coach and program in Jody Allen at College of the Sequoias."
Hutcheson began his collegiate playing career at the College of the Sequoias, less than 15 miles from his hometown of Exeter, Calif.
"It was a great junior college," said Hutcheson. "It really set my foot in the door for baseball up here at Fresno State."
After being named all-league at shortstop for both his seasons with the Giants, Hutcheson set his sights on the next level.
"I wanted my family and friends to be able to come up and watch," said Hutcheson of his decision to attend Fresno State. "And I've watched this program over the years and I'm really impressed by everything they do here. I just felt it would be a great place to play."
Hutcheson appeared in 49 games during the 2011 season and earned 45 starts in the infield. He finished with a .314 batting average and scored 36 runs on 43 hits, including eight doubles, three triples and a home run.
"As a junior he could afford to be one of the boys and simply play solid defense, sit back in the 9-hole and chip in now and then," said Batesole. "Now he is a senior and has taken on the leadership role in the infield, clubhouse and classroom. We are very proud of what he is doing."
Hutcheson's drive to compete came honestly. He grew up with three younger sisters and every one of them competed in sports.
"The closest one is 20 years old and we are very competitive," he said. "All three of my sisters played volleyball. It's just been a very athletic atmosphere growing up with all four of us playing sports."
As an agricultural business major, he has excelled in the classroom, earning Academic All-WAC for two-straight semesters and the Dean's List in the fall of 2011.
"I want to be a pest control advisor and ultimately take over my father's business and do farm management on my own," Hutcheson said of his plans beyond baseball.
Fresno State fans can watch him and the other Bulldogs begin the 2012 season at home against Butler on Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. Fans can purchase 2012 season and single-game tickets online or by calling the Bulldog Ticket Office at 559-278-3647.
Fun Facts on Patrick Hutcheson
Favorite Food
Italian.
Favorite Drink
Gatorade.
Favorite Candy
Peanut M&M's.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Canada for duck hunting.
Who do you hang out with most on the team?
Spend a lot of time with Sammy Donald, Justin Charles. I don't know. Usually I'm with the team and we all hang out together.
Favorite T-shirt
It would probably be one of my old, nothing special, just a camo hunting shirt that I've worn every time I go hunting.
Favorite Shoes
Nike Free's
Dogs or Cats
Dog. Black lab.
Do you drink coffee?
Absolutely not. Haven't drank one for two years.
Favorite Hobby
Hunting. I grew up hunting. When I'm not here on the baseball field, or in the classroom, I am living outdoors in a field pursuing whatever kind of hunting there is. [So you know the seasons by heart.] I do. [So what's your favorite hunting season?] Duck. That is where my lab comes in.
"We Are Your Team!" Check out the action on game day from AM 940 KYNO, the flagship station for Bulldog baseball. Follow us on Facebook (fresnostateathletics) and Twitter (@FSAthletics).
