June 24, 2008

2008 College World Series

Day 10 Notes

This was the first meeting between Georgia and Fresno State.

Georgia and Fresno State did not have any common opponents in 2008.

Fresno State is 4-0 this season in elimination games, winning one over San Diego in the Long Beach Regional, two at No. 3 Arizona State in the Tempe Super Regional and one over No. 2 North Carolina in the College World Series.

This was the ninth come-from-behind win in 14 games at the CWS and Georgia has had three (Miami, Stanford, Fresno State).

The game time was 2:55, the shortest game in this year’s CWS. It was just the second game completed in under three hours.

Georgia is looking for its second national title in baseball. The Bulldogs have won a total of 34 NCAA titles, including men’s tennis and women’s gymnastics this year.

The SEC has had two teams win six baseball titles. Georgia won the first in 1990. LSU claimed five crowns in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2000.

Fresno State has never won a baseball national championship. The Bulldogs are playing for the school’s second NCAA Division I title. The women’s softball team won the 1998 crown.

The WAC has won six baseball championships. Rice won the most recent in 2003. Other winners include Arizona in 1976 and Arizona State in 1965, 1967, 1969 and 1977.

There were numerous outstanding defensive plays. Fresno State third baseman Tommy Mendonca had a nice pickup and throw in the second, and a diving catch to his right to rob David Thoms to start the third. Georgia left fielder Lyle Allen had a leaping catch against the wall on a drive by Steve Susdorf in the fourth. In the bottom of the frame, Susdorf made a sliding catch off the bat of Matt Olson to end the inning. Georgia shortstop Gordon Beckham turned an unassisted double play in the top of the eighth, snagging a line drive and tagging out the runner at second.

In the bottom of the fifth, Georgia’s Matt Olson swung and missed a pitch and hit bat went flying toward the Fresno State dugout on the first base side, hitting the rail in front of the dugout. On the next two pitches, the Fresno State players playfully ducked behind the screen as Olson finished his at-bat.

Georgia struck out just once, matching its season low. The Bulldogs fanned once in an 18-3 win over Alabama A&M on March 19.

 Beckham has a school-record 27 home runs and is one away from national-leader Matt Clark of LSU.

Joshua Fields has 18 saves, tying for the Division I lead with Tyler Conn of Southern Miss.

Tommy Mendonca of Fresno State became the first player to reach three home runs in the CWS. He has 18 for the season.