Can Fresno close the deal on Georgia after Tuesday's blow out win?

[wilheim]

Fresno St. congratulates each other after a huge win over Georgia, 19-10 in the CWS on Tuesday night in Omaha, Neb.

Fresno State dominated the game from the bottom of the third inning until the final pitch was thrown.

Georgia raced out to a 5-0 lead after 2 1/2 innings, but that just seemed to energize Fresno, who rallied to score six runs in the third, five runs in the fourth and four runs in the fifth inning. They also added three runs in the seventh and one more in the eighth.

Before Georgia could even attempt to rally, it was too late.

"Yeah, it was too early to consider that (the national title when up 5-0)," Georgia shortstop Gordon Beckham said. "We weren't caught off guard and we didn't let down, they just beat us straight up and took us over."
Beckham was more impressed with Fresno State's 19 runs, which were the most scored in a CWS championship series game since Rice scored 14 on Stanford in 2003.

"Well, it's certainly pretty tough," Beckham said with sarcasm. "How Fresno State had the circus and merry-go-round going around the bases all night, anyone that thought they were out of it after last night is crazy."

That is indeed true.

Fresno State has made a habit of wining elimination games and proving doubters wrong throughout the NCAA tournament. Fresno played San Diego in the Long Beach Regional championship and won. It also took care of Arizona State after dropping the series opener in dismal fashion.
With their backs against the wall again Tuesday night, Fresno stayed true to tradition.

Can they do it one more time in elimination game three tonight?


wil.

 

[Railbird]

Has Fresno made an error yet? Left side of the infield is incredible. They dont make mental mistakes. You wont find 2 better coaches on the same staff as Battesole and Mike Mayne on any team on the planet. I dont care if they have the 2nd baseman pitch tommorrow, they arent losing.

 

[Railbird]

only 2 losses Fresno had in Omaha were 2 miracles, even both losses they out played opponent.

 

[Railbird]

Mayne has over 35 years of coaching experience.
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Nov. 29, 2007
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FRESNO, Calif. - Head baseball coach Mike Batesole announced the addition of Mike Mayne to the Fresno State baseball staff on Wednesday. Mayne is coming out of retirement and joins Fresno State with over 35 years of coaching experience in both high school and college baseball.
Having coached at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif., Mayne had a 15-year record of 400-188-6. His baseball team at OCC won five South Coast Conference Championships and two Orange Empire Conference Championships along with winning the California State Community College Championship in 1980.
Mayne was the conference coach of the year eight times and the National Community College Coach of the Year in 1980. He was inducted into the California Community College Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1993.
"As a former Community College Coach, I've always had respect for the quality and tradition of the Fresno State baseball program," said Mayne. "It's an honor to be asked to coach with Mike Batesole."
Along with coaching at OCC, Mayne also coached at Eisenhower High School and Kolb Junior High School in Rialto, Calif.
Mayne also worked with the Seattle Mariners as a scout and roving instructor from 1993-94 and was a catching instructor during spring training for the Oakland Athletics in 1996.
He was a four-year starter for the UC Riverside (1964-68) and a two- year football letterwinner.
While at UC Riverside, Mayne received his B.S. in Political Science then went on to earn his M.A. in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University.
Mayne and his wife Patricia spend half of the year at their home in San Jacinto, Calif., and half of the year in Cameron, Montana. They have two sons, Brent and Kevin and five grandchildren. Their son Brent played 15 years in the major leagues, most recently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where in retired in 2004. "Join the State - Fresno State!" - For more information on the Fresno State Baseball Team, log onto www.gobulldogs.com.

 

[ProPokerPlayer]

neither team has any pitchers so it may be 20 runs in the 1st 3 innings.
Georgia on paper a clear advantage but this aint paper as OMT and Railbird can atest to.
Forget who wins and take the OV any number u can find...

 

[oldmanTED]

Dog Day Afternoon

Posted Jun. 25, 2008 3:46 pm by Aaron Fitt
Filed under: Rosenblog

OMAHA–More than four months after it began, the college baseball season will end today–assuming the weather cooperates. Today is one of the hottest, muggiest days of the CWS, and the temperature at first pitch will be close to 90 degrees. Once again, there are scattered thunderstorms in the forecast for this evening. But if all goes well, Fresno State or Georgia will be crowned national champion in the next six hours or so.
Both teams are starting lefthanders on three days’ rest, though Georgia’s Nathan Moreau threw less than half as many pitches as Fresno’s Justin Wilson on Saturday. There won’t be any surprises in Georgia’s bullpen: Coach David Perno said yesterday exactly who he’s going to throw after Moreau today. It’ll be Dean Weaver, Alex McRee and Joshua Fields, the team’s three bullpen mainstays all year long. Fresno closer Brandon Burke got a much-needed day off yesterday and will throw at least an inning today, maybe two or three; it is the national championship game, after all.

 

[Railbird]

neither team has any pitchers so it may be 20 runs in the 1st 3 innings.
Georgia on paper a clear advantage but this aint paper as OMT and Railbird can atest to.
Forget who wins and take the OV any number u can find...

I think Fresno has the better bats, better defense, better coaching. Pitching is even, only becuase Fresno 1 and 2 out and or tired arm. other wise better pitching too. Fresno better on paper. Only edge Georgia has is in media perception.

 

[oldmanTED]

<TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 width=625 border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#000000><TD align=middle width=55>1133</TD><TD width=160>Fresno State </TD><TD width=130></TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#666666> </TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#666666>-160</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#666666></TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#666666>-105</TD><TD width=80 bgColor=#666666> +100</TD><TD width=40> </TD></TR><TR bgColor=#000000><TD align=middle width=55>1134 </TD><TD width=160>Georgia </TD><TD width=130></TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#666666> -1½</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#666666>+140</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#666666> 13</TD><TD width=40 bgColor=#666666>-115</TD><TD width=80 bgColor=#666666> -120</TD><TD width=40> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[TTinCO]

I think Fresno has the better bats, better defense, better coaching. Pitching is even, only becuase Fresno 1 and 2 out and or tired arm. other wise better pitching too. Fresno better on paper. Only edge Georgia has is in media perception.

:nohead: The only thing that you missed was that they were better than the Red Sox.

 

[soccerbob]

Just bet it over 12 1/2. These pitchers can't get anybody out. They've got tired arms and it doesn't help when their managers sit in the dugout with the their thumbs up their ass. Everyone in the stadium but the managers know the pitcher has had it but they leave them out there to get shelled some more.

 

[oldmanTED]

Line on Fresno State's starter Justin Wilson from Saturday's game against North Carolina. He was in trouble in each of the first 4 innings mostly through walks, which is usual for him, but he also has a knack of getting himself out of the trouble he creates. He is strong and can throw well over 100 pitches and get the Bulldogs into the 6th inning. When he left the game in his last start, the Bulldogs were up 3-2 over UNC. A Miller hanging curve cost them the game 4-3. IMHO, this game will not be close tonight as Fresno State has faced elimination 5 times in the post season and won all 5 games. They just know how to win. Georgia has not been in this predicament in this CWS. More importantly, Fresno State will have a distinct advantage tonight hitting against Georgia's pitching, both their starter and relievers, while Miller grinds out innings as Fresno State builds their lead.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD style="BACKGROUND: #4f5556" colSpan=10>Fresno State Bulldogs</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD align=left>Pitchers</TD><TD>IP</TD><TD> H</TD><TD> R</TD><TD>ER</TD><TD>BB</TD><TD>SO</TD><TD>HR</TD><TD noWrap>PC-ST</TD><TD>ERA</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>J Wilson</TD><TD>5.1</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>0</TD><TD noWrap>112-60</TD><TD>4.34</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Railbird]

OMAHA, Neb. -- Let's just say life didn't suck out there in Cameron, Mont., on Mike Mayne's ranch. A ranchette, he called it, only 40 acres. Only? His days were filled mostly with golf, horses and fly fishing. For a change of pace, Yellowstone Park was a short drive away.
If these are the golden years, bring 'em on.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=212 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width=212>

</TD><TD width=15> </TD></TR><TR><TD width=212>Clayton Allison returns in time to stymie North Carolina and get Fresno State into the finals. (AP) </TD><TD width=15> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Mike Mayne, retired college baseball coach and loving life, was only 61 when the phone rang.
Mayne knew he didn't have to take the call last summer. There were two sons and five grandchildren to dote on. One of those, Brent, had followed a long major-league career with one as a successful businessman. Baseball in Mike's rearview mirror was comfortably replaced by a view of the mountains out the back door.
But Mike Mayne always liked Mike Batesole as a person and loved him as a player. As the baseball coach at Orange Coast College from 1976-92, Mayne had recruited the tough-minded kid from Garden Grove (Calif.) High School. Batesole didn't come but would return from Oral Roberts in the offseason and work out at the Costa Mesa, Calif., juco. Didn't everybody?
"There were days on that field there was an all-star team," Mayne said, ticking off the names of Southern California major leaguers who worked out at his complex. "Mark McGwire, Eric Davis, Darryl Strawberry, Frank Tanana, Mark Clear."
Batesole would stay longer, though, and work with Mayne's hitters in the cage. When his minor league career ended, Batesole knew where to go to ask for a coaching job. Sure, Mayne said, as long as you get your degree. When the time came, Mayne recommended his assistant coach for a move up to a similar position with Cal State-Northridge.
That's basically why Mayne took that phone call. Last summer, Batesole, now in his sixth year as the Fresno State head coach, had lost his pitching coach. Mayne hadn't coached baseball in 16 years but Batesole knew exactly who he wanted to run a staff that could be something special.
So special that deep in his heart, Batesole thought the Bulldogs could get to their first College World Series in 17 years. Mayne wanted a day to think about it, discuss it with his golf buddies, but his family practically pushed him out the door. They knew he couldn't sit still. Even after retiring as baseball coach at Orange Coast, Mike stayed as an assistant football coach and taught for 12 more years.
"They said, 'Go for it,' " Mayne said. "That was it, basically. There was no commitment past this year. After this season, I'm done."
The season, as all of college baseball knows by now, will continue. That was Mayne, still gray and now 62, celebrating with a bunch of kids Sunday night after Fresno State advanced to the CWS championship series.
This group is long past being Bulldogs. The sign in the stands at Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium last week read: From Underdogs to Wonderdogs. Mayne took a staff into the CWS that was missing its top two pitchers and got to the mountaintop, or at least that crest of a hill on 13th Street where Rosenblatt sits.
Ace Tanner Scheppers has been out for six weeks because of a slight tear in his rotator cuff. The injury likely cost Scheppers his position in the first round of the draft. Who knows, it might cost him his career (although Scheppers was taken in the second round by the Pirates)? No. 2 Clayton Allison hadn't thrown in two weeks because of tendinitis -- until Sunday night. Allison then got the win in Fresno's 6-1 victory against North Carolina that put the Bulldogs into the best-of-3 championship series.

 

[HPark1]

Just bet it over 12 1/2. These pitchers can't get anybody out. They've got tired arms and it doesn't help when their managers sit in the dugout with the their thumbs up their ass. Everyone in the stadium but the managers know the pitcher has had it but they leave them out there to get shelled some more.

Both starters blow but both teams have some decent arms available in the bullpen. And I wouldn't expect any manager tonight to leave a guy in there too long, if anything they'll be more likely to panic at the first sign of trouble.

Having said this both teams are swinging it well and its pretty hot and humid in Omaha tonight. I'd rather be on the Over.

gl

 

[Railbird]

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"It's like something bigger going on here," Mayne said. "It's unbelievable. We're struggling six weeks ago to win the WAC, which people consider a weak conference."

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<embed src="http://m1.2mdn.net/1843223/f14v3_LV1newsV2_tt_fs_tf_2a_wt_im_f9_55_300x250.swf" flashvars="clickTag=http%3A//ad.doubleclick.net/click%253Bh%3Dv8/36ea/3/0/%252a/u%253B203756472%253B1-0%253B0%253B27307572%253B4307-300/250%253B27025632/27043489/1%253Bu%253DSFziyQq0HHAAABxNOHU%253B%257Eaopt%253D0/ff/ff/ff%253B%257Efdr%253D203797594%253B0-0%253B0%253B24349095%253B4307-300/250%253B26812755/26830612/1%253Bu%253DSFziyQq0HHAAABxNOHU%253B%257Eaopt%253D2/0/ff/0%253B%257Esscs%253D%253fhttp%3A//www.healthyenergy.com/%3Fpage%3D27307572%3B%7Cad%3D203756472%3B&clickTAG=http%3A//ad.doubleclick.net/click%253Bh%3Dv8/36ea/3/0/%252a/u%253B203756472%253B1-0%253B0%253B27307572%253B4307-300/250%253B27025632/27043489/1%253Bu%253DSFziyQq0HHAAABxNOHU%253B%257Eaopt%253D0/ff/ff/ff%253B%257Efdr%253D203797594%253B0-0%253B0%253B24349095%253B4307-300/250%253B26812755/26830612/1%253Bu%253DSFziyQq0HHAAABxNOHU%253B%257Eaopt%253D2/0/ff/0%253B%257Esscs%253D%253fhttp%3A//www.healthyenergy.com/%3Fpage%3D27307572%3B%7Cad%3D203756472%3B&clicktag=http%3A//ad.doubleclick.net/click%253Bh%3Dv8/36ea/3/0/%252a/u%253B203756472%253B1-0%253B0%253B27307572%253B4307-300/250%253B27025632/27043489/1%253Bu%253DSFziyQq0HHAAABxNOHU%253B%257Eaopt%253D0/ff/ff/ff%253B%257Efdr%253D203797594%253B0-0%253B0%253B24349095%253B4307-300/250%253B26812755/26830612/1%253Bu%253DSFziyQq0HHAAABxNOHU%253B%257Eaopt%253D2/0/ff/0%253B%257Esscs%253D%253fhttp%3A//www.healthyenergy.com/%3Fpage%3D27307572%3B%7Cad%3D203756472%3B" width="300" height="250" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" swliveconnect="true" wmode="opaque" name="DCF203756472" base="http://m1.2mdn.net/1843223" AllowScriptAccess="never"></embed></OBJECT><NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT><NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3 height=10><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="10"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>The Wonderdogs started out losing 12 of their first 20, but have lost only three times in the past month fighting off elimination three times -- all on the road -- during the NCAA postseason. On the road? They played their last home game on May 11. In the process, the Bulldogs beat top-seeded Long Beach and No. 2 seed San Diego in the regional. The super power in the super regional, Arizona State, went down in three games. The Sun Devils were sporting a school-record 15 draft choices.
That's one big difference in the programs. Arizona State produces major leaguers. Fresno State produces thoughtful circumspection. Fresno senior outfielder Steve Susdorf didn't sign after being drafted last year in order to chase a civil engineering degree and a championship.
The academic All-American has his degree. Now he wants a dog pile as a graduation gift.
"We're definitely the Cinderella story," Susdorf said.
This is how Underdogs become Wonderdogs: They won eight NCAA postseason games against five different top 20 teams. Fresno became the first No. 4 regional seed to get to the CWS since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1999. They say that's equivalent to a No. 13 seed making a run in the NCAA basketball tournament. That's harder than it sounds. When George Mason made its improbable Final Four run in 2006, it was a No. 11 seed.
These Wonderdogs are either porcelain or steel. Maybe both. They keep breaking stuff and keep on playing. Outfielder Steve Detwiler reportedly played Sunday with torn ligaments in his left thumb. Third baseman Tommy Mendonca dived for a ball last month. In bracing himself, he dislocated two fingers and bruised two others so badly he had to be taken to the hospital. Mendonca went 3-for-5 with four RBI on Sunday in perhaps Fresno's biggest game ever.
Infielder Alan Ahmady even woke up Tuesday with the veneer broken off a front tooth.
"I was just really careless," he said. "I was eating tons of seeds. My favorite thing is eating."
Followed closely by baseball. The tooth was knocked out originally eight years ago when a 12-year-old Ahmady took a ground ball in the face.
"It's exactly what I thought it was going to be," Batesole said of the spectacle he has witnessed. The coach had numerous opportunities to come to Omaha as a fan but never did.
"I haven't wanted to," he added. "I wanted to earn it. I've never touched anything that said, 'College World Series,' on it. A hat, a T-shirt, anything. Since I've been here (this week), I think I've touched every one in town."
Batesole and his Wonderdogs are carrying the hopes of a proud community in California's agriculture-rich central valley. That explains the "V" you see on the side of Fresno State football helmets. It begins to explain what a possible national championship would mean.
Football is No. 1 at Fresno but the Bulldogs haven't won an outright conference title since 1989. There was an NIT title in basketball in 1983 but what is happening in Omaha is about to go way beyond any of that.
"It's like a different state, seriously," said Gene Escat, father of Fresno State pitcher Gene IV. "We've got nothing to compare to the Bay Area or L.A."
Escat the dad cancelled an elbow reconstruction to make it to Omaha at the urging of his doctor, a Fresno State physician. Go figure.
"Some of the pubs, you walk around Omaha, you can tell," said Escat III. "I think everybody wants that underdog angle."
Maybe not everybody. There are some buddies of Mike Mayne back in Montana who wouldn't mind seeing him home soon. The trout are getting a bit too comfortable and there are some horses in bad need of saddle sores. While he's here, though, The Accidental Pitching Coach might as well enjoy it. The last Mayne to get here was Brent, with Cal State-Fullerton in 1988.
"Twenty years later, how do you figure? As it turned out, it wasn't an easy road by any stretch of the imagination but here we are," said Mike, who quickly changed the subject.
"I talk to my friends daily up there (in Montana). My golf group is getting away from me."
[/FONT]

 

[HPark1]

Line on Fresno State's starter Justin Wilson from Saturday's game against North Carolina. He was in trouble in each of the first 4 innings mostly through walks, which is usual for him, but he also has a knack of getting himself out of the trouble he creates. He is strong and can throw well over 100 pitches and get the Bulldogs into the 6th inning. When he left the game in his last start, the Bulldogs were up 3-2 over UNC. A Miller hanging curve cost them the game 4-3. IMHO, this game will not be close tonight as Fresno State has faced elimination 5 times in the post season and won all 5 games. They just know how to win. Georgia has not been in this predicament in this CWS. More importantly, Fresno State will have a distinct advantage tonight hitting against Georgia's pitching, both their starter and relievers, while Miller grinds out innings as Fresno State builds their lead.

I don't have a good feel for this game at all but I don't see how its correct to say Fresno St. has a distinct pitching advantage over Georgia tonight. Both starters are suspect, no real edge here. In the bullpen Georgia will have basically its best three relievers, era's 4ish or lower, available in Fields, Weaver and McRee. Fresno will have Burke available and I guess starter Clayton could pitch. But after that they have no decent arms.

Their starter Justin Wilson, as you mentioned, has serious issues with walks. An absurd 65 walks issued in 116 innings and a whip over 1.60. No way you can feel you have an edge with this guy.

 

[shdw01]

2. Fresno State is not only the lowest-seeded team ever to reach the College World Series, but it's also the lowest-seeded team ever to reach the championship round (final two teams) of an NCAA tournament for any sport. The Bulldogs were a regional No. 4 seed to start the tourney, the equivalent of being seeded in the 13-16 range in basketball. In other words, there aren't many adjectives to describe how improbable their run to within one game of a CWS title has been.

3. No team that had a losing record the previous seasonhas ever won the College World Series. Georgia finished 23-33 in 2007, the worst overall mark in the SEC. Neither UGA nor Fresno State was ranked in the coaches' preseason top 25.

4. If Fresno State wins, it will be the fifth straight year that the CWS champion was not one of the tournament's 8 national seeds. Fresno State would also be the seventh straight national champ from west of the Mississippi River.


5. Whichever team wins Game 3 will set the record for most losses by a CWS champ.

 

[Furmanski]

Has Fresno made an error yet? Left side of the infield is incredible. They dont make mental mistakes. You wont find 2 better coaches on the same staff as Battesole and Mike Mayne on any team on the planet. I dont care if they have the 2nd baseman pitch tommorrow, they arent losing.

E6 times 2.

 

[N.I.B.]

cross the plate chumps!!!

 

[HarryCaray]

Justin Wilson absolutely unreal performance tonight. Wow.

 

[Furmanski]

God I would love to see the DAWGS make this a game.

Come on fellas!