Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Picked to Win Sixth Title
2/9/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 9, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. - For the seventh-straight year, the Fresno State baseball team has been picked to win the Western Athletic Conference regular season title. The Bulldogs received 33 points and four first-place votes in the preseason poll voted on by the league's seven head coaches that was released on Wednesday.
"The preseason hype is fun to talk about," said head coach Mike Batesole.
Fresno State placed two 'Dogs on the 2012 preseason All-WAC team in sophomores Aaron Judge and Tyler Linehan.
Judge finished the 2011 season as a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. The 6-7, 255-pound outfielder was also named WAC Freshman of the Year after playing in 55 games and finishing with a .358 batting average. A native of Linden, Calif., Judge scored 38 runs off 67 hits, which was second best on the team, including 12 doubles, one triple and two home runs. He also went 11-for-12 in stolen bases last season and is one of two returning 'Dogs to be named to the 2011 first-team All-WAC.
This is Linehan's first conference honor. A Sacramento, Calif. native, appeared in 13 games last season, earning eight starts. The 6-0, 220-pound left-handed pitcher finished with a 5-2 record after striking out 42 batters in 46.1 innings pitched.
San Jose State finished a close second behind Fresno State with 31 points and three first-place votes. The Spartans also placed two student-athletes on the preseason team at the designated hitter and utility positions. Hawai'i finished third in the polls with 29 points and placed four on the preseason team.
"San Jose and Hawai'i obviously have more experienced players returning and the entire WAC will be gunning for us as usual," said Batesole. "We will be prepared well for every weekend. We will see how good we really are starting in a couple weeks."
Fresno State opens WAC play the road at Hawai'i, Apr. 5-7. The Bulldogs also host San Jose State (Apr. 13-15) in their first conference home series of the season. Both series will be broadcast on Bulldog baseball's flagship station, AM 940 KYNO.
Before the Bulldogs enter WAC competition, Fresno State kicks off 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.
2012 WAC Baseball Coaches Poll
Rk. Team (first-place votes) Total
1. Fresno State (4) 33
2. San Jose State (3) 31
3. Hawai`i 29
T4. Nevada 17
T4. New Mexico State 17
6. Louisiana Tech 14
7. Sacramento State 6
Preseason All-WAC Team
OF Aaron Judge, So., Fresno State
OF Breland Almadova, Jr., Hawai`i
OF Tanner Waite, So., New Mexico State
OF Bryan Karraker, Sr., New Mexico State
1B Clay Cederquist, Jr., Sacramento State
2B Parker Hipp, Jr., New Mexico State
SS Pi'ikea Kitamura, Jr., Hawai`i
3B Collin Bennett, Sr., Hawai`i
C Zac Fisher, Jr., New Mexico State
DH Zack Jones, Jr., San Jose State
UTI Mike Aldrete, Jr., San Jose State
SP Matt Sisto, Sr., Hawai`i
SP Tyler Linehan, So., Fresno State
SP Tom Jameson, Jr., Nevada
RP Zack Jones, Jr., San Jose State
RP Scott Coffman, Sr., New Mexico State
Player of the Year
Zac Fisher, Jr., C, New Mexico State
Pitcher of the Year
Zack Jones, Jr., San Jose State
"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).
