Fans welcome home victorious 'Dogs

Fresno State baseball players and coaches celebrate in Fresno as they prepare to head to Omaha for the College World Series.

More than 100 fans turned out to welcome home the NCAA Tempe Super Regional Champion Fresno State Bulldogs Tuesday morning at Beiden Field.

In front of the Pete Beiden Monument, Fresno State Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Paul M. Oliaro congratulated Coach Mike Batesole and the nation’s Cinderella team on toppling powerhouse Arizona State to advance to the College World Series in Omaha.

“On behalf of the campus, the entire Central California community – and all Bulldog fans everywhere – we welcome you home, congratulate and commend you for this great accomplishment,” Oliaro said. “You did a great job of putting Fresno State baseball back on the national map. You were determined and did not let the odds or setbacks stop you, and showed what a strong baseball program Fresno State – and the WAC – has. We'll be cheering for you in Omaha!”

He noted that the ’Dogs became the first No. 4 seed to reach Omaha since the NCAA expanded the tournament field to 64 teams in 1999.

The first game is at 11 a.m. (PDT) Sunday, June 14, vs. Rice at Rosenblatt Stadium. It will be televised on ESPN and broadcast on KMJ-580 Radio.

College World Series commemorative apparel
As the Bulldogs head for Omaha to compete in the College World Series, fans can show their spirit and support for the team with commemorative apparel available at the Bulldog Shop and the Kennel Bookstore beginning Wednesday, June 11.

The Bulldog Shop will stock specially designed tees and jerseys, plus commemorative baseball caps. Details: 559.431.3647 or http://gobulldogs.cstv.com/store/?partner_id=13955.

The Kennel Bookstore will have two styles of t-shirts available for purchase in the store and on the store's Web site: www.kennelbookstore.com/home.aspx. Details: 559.278.4062.

Video coverage of Tuesday’s Welcome Home Victory Rally at Beiden Field (includes video of the “Tempe 'Dog pile!”): http://gobulldogs.cstv.com/index-main.html

For more information contained in this release, please go to the following Web site(s):

Mike Batesole Named National Coach of the Year