If you've gotten a chance to watch this team or maybe you're just reading the box scores or hearing first person accounts from friends, you've probably heard a pattern emerging. That pattern seems to the pitching for the Bulldogs.
Over the last five games, four of those five games have been decided by three runs or less, only two of the four have the Bulldogs come out on top. Yesterday was, yet another, example of just how good their pitching really is, but maybe it's showing how disappointing their offense may be. The Bulldogs hung tough, shutting out Oregon through eight full innings before giving up the game winner in the home half of the ninth, dropping a 1-0 decision in Eugene.
Senior right-hander Holden Sprague has his second great outing in as many starts. Sprague went 7 2/3 shutout innings, giving up just four hits and striking out four. Unfortunately, his efforts were matched by Oregon's started, who went eight shutout innings.
Bulldogs' head coach Mike Batesole, "It was a great atmosphere and they have done a great job with this field. It reminds me a little bit of being in Reno. We played outstanding defense. Tommy (Mendonca) had some really nice plays. We did a lot of good things, but offensively you have to give their guy credit."
If Fresno State is going to make a run at defending their title, their offense needs to get going right along with their good pitching performances. They don't want to waste a great outing from their pitchers, giving them no help offensively. It could make for a very long season.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
After opening home stand, Bulldogs head north
So after the Bulldogs finish their season opening home stand at 2-2, after taking 2-of-3 from Washington, then being on the losing end of a 13-11 decision to Cal Poly, Fresno State will head to the Pacific Northwest as they open a 3-game series against the Ducks of Oregon. Oregon currently sits at 1-2 after their 3-game series against St. Mary's last weekend.
The 15th ranked Bulldogs will go into hostile territory with the biggest of bullseyes on their backs, especially being the defending National Champions. Teams will use them as a scale for their own team, if they can beat the champs, maybe they're better than they originally thought. If the Bulldogs can show the same kind of pitching they showed in games one and three of their three game series against Washington, I think they should be able to win 2-of-3 before they take on UC Davis on Wednesday, March 4th.
Game times for the series against Oregon will be 2pm on Friday and then 1pm starts on both Saturday and Sunday.
The 15th ranked Bulldogs will go into hostile territory with the biggest of bullseyes on their backs, especially being the defending National Champions. Teams will use them as a scale for their own team, if they can beat the champs, maybe they're better than they originally thought. If the Bulldogs can show the same kind of pitching they showed in games one and three of their three game series against Washington, I think they should be able to win 2-of-3 before they take on UC Davis on Wednesday, March 4th.
Game times for the series against Oregon will be 2pm on Friday and then 1pm starts on both Saturday and Sunday.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Bulldogs take 2 of 3 from Washington
The Bulldogs are off to a good start in what was one of the most memorable weekends in Bulldog sports history. Fresno State would win 5-4 on Friday and 3-1 on Sunday, dropping an 11-4 decision to Washington on Saturday.
In both wins, it was Fresno State's pitching that would impress. On Friday it was Sr right-hander Holden Sprague, who would throw six strong innings for the Bulldogs, giving up just 1 run while striking out six. On Sunday, it was Sophomore right-hander Jake Floethe throwing six shutout innings, striking out six. He would give way to Freshmen right-handers Taylor Garrison and Derek Benny who would finish out the final three innings, behind Floethe, giving up just one run. Pretty impressive for two freshmen making their debuts.
This is a very promising start for the Bulldogs, especially knowing that two young freshmen can come in and hold a two run lead. We know this offense can put up runs, but knowing there are pitchers that can come in in close game situations and hold leads has to be promising to the Bulldog coaches.
The Bulldogs will finish out their first home series of the year with one game against Cal Poly on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05pm PST.
In both wins, it was Fresno State's pitching that would impress. On Friday it was Sr right-hander Holden Sprague, who would throw six strong innings for the Bulldogs, giving up just 1 run while striking out six. On Sunday, it was Sophomore right-hander Jake Floethe throwing six shutout innings, striking out six. He would give way to Freshmen right-handers Taylor Garrison and Derek Benny who would finish out the final three innings, behind Floethe, giving up just one run. Pretty impressive for two freshmen making their debuts.
This is a very promising start for the Bulldogs, especially knowing that two young freshmen can come in and hold a two run lead. We know this offense can put up runs, but knowing there are pitchers that can come in in close game situations and hold leads has to be promising to the Bulldog coaches.
The Bulldogs will finish out their first home series of the year with one game against Cal Poly on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05pm PST.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
It's baseball season again
Are you ready? No, seriously, are you ready? The Fresno State Bulldogs begin their 2009 season unlike any way they've started a season before in the school's history. This time, it's as the defending National Champions. This year, the Bulldogs have the target on their backs, teams will be gunning for them, looking to make a statement, looking to knock off the champions. The most important thing is how this team responds to the challenge, will they step up and accept the challenge of being the champions and carrying themselves as such, or will this young team falter under the pressure, playing below the level they're capable of playing?
All these questions, and more, will begin to take shape as the defending National Champions will take the field on Friday night as they welcome in the University of Washington Huskies for the first of three games at Beiden Field. The Bulldogs will raise their championship banner and will receive their championship rings in a ceremony prior to the first pitch. Opening night is already sold out...WELL DONE BULLDOG FANS! However, there are still single game tickets available for Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, so make sure you pick up those tickets for both games and make sure that Washington leaves Fresno knowing full well who the champions are and who their fans are.
Let the Red Wave rock Beiden Field and let there absolutely be NO doubt...WE ARE FRESNO STATE! GO 'DOGS!
All these questions, and more, will begin to take shape as the defending National Champions will take the field on Friday night as they welcome in the University of Washington Huskies for the first of three games at Beiden Field. The Bulldogs will raise their championship banner and will receive their championship rings in a ceremony prior to the first pitch. Opening night is already sold out...WELL DONE BULLDOG FANS! However, there are still single game tickets available for Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, so make sure you pick up those tickets for both games and make sure that Washington leaves Fresno knowing full well who the champions are and who their fans are.
Let the Red Wave rock Beiden Field and let there absolutely be NO doubt...WE ARE FRESNO STATE! GO 'DOGS!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Watney gets come from behind victory at the Buick Invitational
Former Bulldog, Nick Watney, was always looked at as a talented golfer, a champion in the Nationwide Tour and always a presence on the leader boards on the PGA Tour. He finally got the performance he needed as he landed a birdie putt on the 72nd hole to get just his 2nd PGA Tour victory, winning the Buick Invitation in La Jolla, CA., capping a come from behind win after being down five strokes going into the final round.
Watney had a chance to land a share of the lead on 16 and, looking like a seasoned veteran rather than just his sixth year as a pro, sank a 38-foot birdie putt and followed that up with leaving a 63-foot putt on 18 to within 3 feet. Watney finished with his best round of the tournament, a 4-under 68 on Torrey Pines' South Course.
Watney had worked with Tiger Woods' former coach Butch Harmon and it seems to have paid off. Watney's caddie, Tim Goodell who's been his coach since Watney turned pro six years ago, has seen how far the young golfer has come and says, it was all about Watney believing in himself. “Confidence, he didn't have it last year. He's got it now. That's all it is. “He had been through a lot of putters, and he went back to the one he used when he won in New Orleans (Zurich Classic, Watney's first PGA win). There was nothing wrong with his putting. It was just confidence. He didn't believe. In the past, on a 40-footer he was just trying to two-putt. Even a 20-footer, he was just trying to get it close.”
Although Watney isn't quite ready to challenge the likes of Tiger Woods, he's well on his way to making a name for himself and if he continues to build his confidence, there's no telling what his limits will be.
Watney had a chance to land a share of the lead on 16 and, looking like a seasoned veteran rather than just his sixth year as a pro, sank a 38-foot birdie putt and followed that up with leaving a 63-foot putt on 18 to within 3 feet. Watney finished with his best round of the tournament, a 4-under 68 on Torrey Pines' South Course.
Watney had worked with Tiger Woods' former coach Butch Harmon and it seems to have paid off. Watney's caddie, Tim Goodell who's been his coach since Watney turned pro six years ago, has seen how far the young golfer has come and says, it was all about Watney believing in himself. “Confidence, he didn't have it last year. He's got it now. That's all it is. “He had been through a lot of putters, and he went back to the one he used when he won in New Orleans (Zurich Classic, Watney's first PGA win). There was nothing wrong with his putting. It was just confidence. He didn't believe. In the past, on a 40-footer he was just trying to two-putt. Even a 20-footer, he was just trying to get it close.”
Although Watney isn't quite ready to challenge the likes of Tiger Woods, he's well on his way to making a name for himself and if he continues to build his confidence, there's no telling what his limits will be.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Title defense begins in just over a month
The Fresno State Bulldogs will begin their National Championship title defense, that journey begins in just over a month.
On February 20th, the Bulldogs will join their fans as they raise the 2008 National Championship banner high above Beiden Field. After that, the Bulldogs will take the field as they take on the Washington Huskies for a 3-game set, thus beginning a title defense that could be as improbable as their run to the National Championship last season, a run that made College World Series history and a team that became a national darling.
Coming into the 2009 season, the Bulldogs are ranked 16th in the pre-season collegiate polls and having guys like Alan Ahmady, championship game hero Steve Detwiler and Tommy Medonca back, they have the experience and they have guys that know how to win and know what it means to be counted out, only to come from nowhere to be the national champion.
Could this team possibly be better than last season, could they repeat? The journey starts on February 20th, where that journey takes this team and their fans is why the ride is worth taking, because in 2008, that ride ended with a 'Dog pile in Omaha.
On February 20th, the Bulldogs will join their fans as they raise the 2008 National Championship banner high above Beiden Field. After that, the Bulldogs will take the field as they take on the Washington Huskies for a 3-game set, thus beginning a title defense that could be as improbable as their run to the National Championship last season, a run that made College World Series history and a team that became a national darling.
Coming into the 2009 season, the Bulldogs are ranked 16th in the pre-season collegiate polls and having guys like Alan Ahmady, championship game hero Steve Detwiler and Tommy Medonca back, they have the experience and they have guys that know how to win and know what it means to be counted out, only to come from nowhere to be the national champion.
Could this team possibly be better than last season, could they repeat? The journey starts on February 20th, where that journey takes this team and their fans is why the ride is worth taking, because in 2008, that ride ended with a 'Dog pile in Omaha.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
2009, the year of the Dog
Happy New Year to all you Bulldog fans, I'm sure we all have a New Year's resolution whether it's to lose weight, be a better person, get a better job, etc. Here's a resolution that I'd like to see come true, less complaining and more constructive comments or comments that have facts to back them up.
I know I've written these kind of posts before, but I'm done reading fans comments wanting Pat Hill fired but then stop their argument right there. I've yet to see one person put out a name they want to be the next head coach at Fresno State, who will take this team farther than Pat Hill ever has? I'm just tired of seeing this, I'm tired of listening to Bulldog fans wanting champaigne on a cheap wine budget, there's only so much Pat Hill has to work with.
With the recruits Hill has coming in, having all three running backs returning to the backfield as well has having a healthy Ryan Mathews back after missing 6 games in 2008 and not being the same after his injury. The Bulldogs will also usher in a new season with a new quarterback at the helm after graduating Sr Tom Brandstater moves on, and with three more than capable young arms battling for the spot, it could be an exciting 2009.
Until then, and I hate to use an old line from the San Diego Padres, but keep the faith. Yes this team didn't have the season a lot of us thought they would have, but with a new quarterback, new pieces coming in defensively, this could be a big year for a seemingly young team.
I know I've written these kind of posts before, but I'm done reading fans comments wanting Pat Hill fired but then stop their argument right there. I've yet to see one person put out a name they want to be the next head coach at Fresno State, who will take this team farther than Pat Hill ever has? I'm just tired of seeing this, I'm tired of listening to Bulldog fans wanting champaigne on a cheap wine budget, there's only so much Pat Hill has to work with.
With the recruits Hill has coming in, having all three running backs returning to the backfield as well has having a healthy Ryan Mathews back after missing 6 games in 2008 and not being the same after his injury. The Bulldogs will also usher in a new season with a new quarterback at the helm after graduating Sr Tom Brandstater moves on, and with three more than capable young arms battling for the spot, it could be an exciting 2009.
Until then, and I hate to use an old line from the San Diego Padres, but keep the faith. Yes this team didn't have the season a lot of us thought they would have, but with a new quarterback, new pieces coming in defensively, this could be a big year for a seemingly young team.
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