Fresno State Athletics
Baseball at the heart of the Silva family
4/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
By: Taylor Martinez
taymar11@mail.fresnostate.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - When the lights turn on over at Pete Beiden Field, you can find the Silva family sitting in the stands supporting their youngest son, Fresno State junior infielder Scott Silva. A close-knit baseball family, the Silva's have not missed a Bulldog game in the 2016 season.
"When I was born my Dad put a glove in my crib", said Silva. "Playing Division I baseball is a dream young men chase from the first time they put on their very first tee-ball jersey.
"When I was four years old, my Dad lied and said I was five so that I could start tee-ball early," explained Silva on his baseball beginnings. "I was able to play with all the older kids and I fell in love with the game."
For Silva this dream carried through little league, middle school, travel ball and high school.
The Fresno native grew up in the heart of the Central Valley. He attended Liberty Elementary and Kasnter Intermediate before moving on to Clovis West High School.
At Clovis West, Silva was a three-year letter winner and earned two Tri-River Athletic Conference all-conference honors. He also earned All-Valley and All-State honors during his time as a Golden Eagle. He finished his senior year playing in the North/South All-Star game.
Excelling at the high school level, Silva was recruited out of high school to play at the University of Gonzaga in Spokane, Wash. After redshirting for a year at Gonzaga, Silva decided to return home to Fresno.
"I came home to Fresno to be with family and grow as a player. I felt like I needed to go to Fresno City for another stepping stone and work on a few things," explained Silva.
During his two years playing at Fresno City College under head coach Ron Scott and the Rams, he was team captain and earned All-American, All-State, and All-Central Valley Conference honors.
After being recruited by multiple programs, Silva decided to stay home and become a Bulldog. Playing for Fresno State had been a dream of Silva's since he was a little boy.
"My dad and I have been going to Fresno State games since I was 4 years old. I used to go to all the games and chase around foul balls. Now, I get to have my parents come to my games and have little kids chase my foul balls around," said Silva.
Playing for Fresno State was a dream come true for Scott describes his older brother Sean Silva.
"Honestly, it's a little boy's dream come true," said the older Silva brother. "Growing up, all Scott and I wanted to be were Bulldogs. I remember my mom decking us out in Bulldog gear from head to toe.
"Whether it was going to football games with our grandparents and being able to sit next to former Coach Jim Sweeney, games at the Selland Arena with our dad watching Tark bite the towel, or the occasional walk down the street with our mom to watch our neighbor and former Bulldog Jeff Prieto hit in his backyard batting cage; we were enamored by it all. Now to see all that come full circle and see Scott wearing the red and blue Fresno State gear on the field, I would say it's all pretty cool!"
Sean Silva also played at Fresno City before moving onto play at USC from 2013-14. Sean says that Scott and his success is a testament to the work ethic that their father instilled in them from youth. He attends all of Scott's games and is there for him every step of the way.
Scott says that baseball has given him and Sean a special bond and has made them closer as brothers. "My brother and I are really close. He texts me before games and gives me scouting reports and the pitchers I'm going to face during that series. He has always been one of my biggest supporters," said Scott.
One key factor in Silva's decision to play for Fresno State was that it allows his family to attend all of his games. His parents, Randy and Cherie Silva, are steadfast supporters and have not missed a single game.
"Having my parents be able to come to all of my games is awesome," said Scott.
With his junior season in full swing, Silva has cemented his spot as an everyday player in the Bulldog lineup seeing action in 15 of the past 17 games and hitting .333 from the plate for the season with four doubles, a grand slam, 11 RBIs and eight runs scored.
With his dream of being a Bulldog achieved and young kids now looking up to him, Silva, with his family supporting him, and the 'Dogs look to close out the season strong on their way to the Mountain West Championship.
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