Let the magic begin!
The Fresno State baseball team continues to play its best baseball when it matters most.
“Its not how you play in March; its how you play in May,” Bulldog head coach Mike Batesole said in his post game interview with KMJ following the ‘Dogs 5-3 win over New Mexico State on Sunday at Les Murakami Stadium.
The Bulldogs put themselves in a hole on Thursday when they lost the opening round game of the WAC Tournament to NMSU, 7-4. However, as we saw time-and-again last season, with their backs against the wall, FS rattled off four straight wins to avoid elimination while claiming its fourth straight WAC championship.
What makes it even more magical is tournament MVP Jordan Ribera, who entered the tournament batting .113, was filling in for suspended first baseman Alan Ahmady. His two homeruns on the day are as big as any the WonderDogs hit last season on their way to the national championship.
Ribera hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning of the ‘Dogs 5-3 win over NMSU. His two-run homer in the top of the ninth in the earlier game gave Fresno State a 9-7 win and forced the second game.
Matt Morse pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief for the ‘Dogs in the final contest.
Fresno State will find out their NCAA Tournament regional and see during Monday’s selection show at 9:30 a.m. PT. Likely destinations for the ‘Dogs include Fullerton, Irvine, and Tempe, AZ.
All-Tournament Team
C – Kevin Fujii, Hawai‘I
1B – Mike Sodders, New Mexico State
2B – Danny Muno, Fresno State
SS – Kyle Bellows, San Jose State
3B – Tom Mendonca, Frenso State
OF – Devon Dageford, Louisiana Tech
OF – Richard Stout, New Mexico State
OF – Gavin Hedstrom, Fresno State
DH – Jordan Ribera, Fresno State
P – Derek Benny, Fresno State
P – DJ Simon, New Mexico State
MVP – Jordan Ribera, Fresno State