Fresno State - 2008 National Champs!

Fresno State culminated its unbelievable march through the NCAA tournament with a 6-1 victory over Georgia in Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Wednesday night. Justin Wilson allowed just one run through eight innings, and Steve Detwiler drove in all six runs as the Wonderdogs won their first national title.

What an amazing run it has been! No one in the San Joaquin Valley could have predicted this in March after Fresno State started the season 8-12. The Bulldogs had to win the WAC Tournament over Memorial Day weekend just to earn an invite in to the NCAA field of 64. In spite of a No. 89 RPI rating, the ‘Dogs proved that they were the best team in nation when it counted.

The Wonderdogs delivered another crushing performance in its final game of the 2008 season. Steve Detwiler went 4 for 4 with two homers, giving the ‘Dogs 14 for the CWS. However, as destiny would have it, the ‘Dogs rode the arm of Justin Wilson to its first national championship.

Without ace Tanner Scheppers – lost for the season before the NCAA playoffs – Coach Mike Batesole used patchwork pitching throughout the tournament.

"When I saw how unselfish this team is, everyone wanted the ball every time,” Batesole said about his pitching staff. “These guys wanted the ball and took it. We have not left anywhere for the last five weekends without being on empty."

The system worked again, the ‘Dogs used it the last three days to set up Wilson for Wednesday’s national championship game.

"I knew it was over when I saw the look in his eye in the first inning,” Batesole said of Wilson. “I knew he was going to do everything he could to get it done tonight."

Detwiler’s barrage of hits was all Wilson needed to lead the ‘Dogs to a 6-1 victory over Georgia in Game 3 of the College World Series finals Wednesday night. Wilson allowed five hits in eight innings – the lone run came on solo shot by Gordon Beckham in the eighth.

Fresno State entered the season as a preseason top 25 squad, ranked as high as No. 18 in the nation. Talk of hosting a regional and making a run to Omaha were commonplace around the water cooler in the Valley back in February. Nonetheless, the slow start hit rock bottom when FS lost the first three games of its Pepsi Johnny Quick Tournament in mid-March and finished fifth.

Throughout its run, the Bulldogs proved they belonged and were the best team in the nation. FS became the first No. 4 regional seed, since the tournament expanded in 1999, to make it to Omaha. Nonetheless, the ‘Dogs have a tradition rich baseball history. Batesole is just the third different FS baseball coach since 1948. Legendary Coach Pete Beiden started in 1948 and took FS to its first CWS in 1959, finishing third. Coach Bob Bennett followed and coached for 34 years leading the ‘Dogs to Omaha twice in 1988 and 1991. Batesole, in just his sixth year, wins the first men’s national title in Fresno State history.

Tommy Mendonca won the CWS most outstanding player, and will join the 2008 USA Baseball National Team next month. He hit four home runs and had 11 RBIs in the CWS but his defense stole the show. Mendonca routinely made outstanding plays from his third base position. Offensively, he did not have his best day Wednesday night but Detwiler picked up the flag.

Olson tries to reach Detwiler's
two-run shot in the second.
(AP Photo/Dave Weaver)

He hit a two-run homer on Nathan Moreau's 3-2 pitch in the second. The ball barely cleared the right-field fence, just getting over the glove of Matt Olson. Detwiler has played through the entire tournament with a torn ligament in his left thumb, which makes his performance more impressive. His second homerun showed no signs of the injury, as he blasted a high drive into deep left.

"It's mind over matter," said Detwiler. "It's just a little pain. The pain is temporary. Pride is forever."

The three-run shot was his third of the CWS. It was just the fourth time a player hit two homers in the championship game. He also had an RBI double in the fourth. Detwiler set numerous championship game records including RBIs, bases, and hits.

Seven players accounted for the ‘Dogs 14 homers in the CWS. No other CWS team had more than six homers. Moreover, the six-run clinching victory tied Fresno State with USC for the most runs (62) in a single CWS.

Wilson turned in arguably the best performance of any starter in the 2008 CWS. The junior left-hander struck out nine and walked only one batter. Georgia managed three singles, a triple, and Beckham’s solo homerun, which end Wilson’s shutout in eighth.

"When you've got a wonderful defense behind you and your offense is outstanding, it can't get better than that," said Wilson.

After 129 pitches, he took a seat for Clayton Allison to start the ninth. With Joey Lewis singling and Allison walking Lyle Allen for Georgia, Coach Batesole called for closer Brandon Burke.

He got Miles Starr to hit into a double play, allowing Danny Muno to redeem his multiple errors from earlier in the game. Burke then walked Ryan Peisel putting runners on the corners, but Olson lined out right to Detwiler ending the contest. Detwiler tucked the ball into his back pocket and joined the “bulldogpile.”

Fresno State players celebrate their 6-1 win over Georgia in Game 3 of the best-of-three NCAA College World Series championship baseball series.
(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

"It was pretty awesome," Wilson said of the celebration erupting on the field. "I can't believe it out here."

The win sent shockwaves throughout California. Sports bars up and down the Valley were filled with cheering Bulldog fans. Patrons of the DogHouse Grill, near the Fresno State campus, sprawled onto Shaw Avenue in front of the Save Mart Center. Their celebration caused one of Fresno’s busiest streets to shutdown for over an hour. The university run Bulldog Shop opened its doors after the game. The apparel store had over 300 anxious fans waiting outside before the doors opened.

Even California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger watched and issued a statement:

“I congratulate the players, coaches, students and fans of Fresno State University on their incredible season. Fresno State ’s victory caps off one of the greatest and most inspirational underdog stories in the history of college sports.

The Bulldogs played with remarkable determination to earn this historic national championship, and I join all Californians in congratulating them as they celebrate this tremendous accomplishment.”

The victory is the biggest in Fresno State sports history topping women’s softball 1998 national championship win over Arizona, and the basketball program’s 1983 NIT clinching victory over DePaul. In truth be told, the 2008 CWS finals win capped what is arguably the greatest college sports story of all time.

"It's a great thing for college baseball. It shows you don't need a No. 1 draft pick to win. You just need everyone working together,” said Steve Susdorf.

The recent tumultuous history of the athletic department is no longer a topic at Cedar & Barstow. Fresno State fans and alumni can thank 25 young men and 4 brilliant coaches for single handily changing the face of the university.