Fresno State Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Korby Batesole
5/14/2018 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
Fresno State Baseball will celebrate its four seniors in this weekend's final home series against UNLV this weekend (May 17-19).
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State Baseball will honor its four seniors in this weekend's final home series against UNLV, May 17-19. The first senior to be introduced is Clovis, Calif. native Korby Batesole.
Batesole, a 2014 graduate of local Buchanan High School in Clovis, has played for the 'Dogs all four years at Fresno State. Bulldog Baseball has been a longtime tradition in the Batesole family with his father, Mike Batesole now in his 16th season as head coach and his older brother, Kody Batesole also active around the program after redshirting with the 'Dogs in 2014, he has spent the last three seasons as the undergraduate assistant coach for the program while also serving as the first base coach for the 'Dogs.
In high school, Korby helped the Buchanan Bears to a 25-8 record as a senior in 2014 alongside current Bulldog teammate Zach Ashford and former Bulldog Aaron Arruda. Batesole chalked a start in each game of the season as Buchanan High School was ranked among the top 25 teams in the state all season long.
In his debut season with the Bulldogs in 2015, Batesole appeared in 44 games with 33 starts on the season. He made 18 starts at shortstop and added 15 at second base. He hit .232 from the plate, knocking 22 hits to go along with 13 RBIs and seven runs scored.
The following season as a sophomore, Batesole appeared in 56 of Fresno State's 58 games helping the 'Dogs win the 2016 Mountain West regular season championship. He made 51 starts on the season chalking 46 starts at shortstop and five at second base. At the plate, Batesole hit .243 with 43 hits, 15 RBIs and 13 runs scored. The sophomore recorded a .249 slugging percentage, .308 on-base percentage and a .955 fielding mark. Batesole had 12 multi-hit outings with a season-best three hit game in the Bulldogs' 14-1 victory over Air Force on April 1. He had a season-long eight game hitting streak from April 16-30 and picked up Mountain West honors being named Academic All-MW for the second time in his career and was also named a MW Scholar-Athlete.
In his junior campaign with the 'Dogs in 2017, Batesole played in 59 of the 60 games with 57 starts at shortstop. The junior saw a .310 mark at the plate with a career-best 61 hits. Batesole knocked nine doubles, four triples and five home runs to add to his 36 RBIs and 39 runs scored. He recorded a .345 on-base percentage with a .472 slugging percentage on the season. Batesole led the Mountain West and ranked within the top-20 nationally with 13 sacrifice bunts as a junior that season. Batesole tallied a career-high four hits in the March 18 contest against Air Force where Fresno State earned a 10-8 victory. For the third consecutive season, Batesole earned Academic All-Mountain West honors and was named a MW Scholar-Athlete for the second straight season.
Now in his final season as a 'Dog this spring, Batesole has started 49 of the 'Dogs 51 games thus far with 57 hits and 29 runs scored. On the season, the senior has knocked six doubles, three triples and one home run for a .308 batting average. Defensively, Batesole has a .959 fielding mark and has 139 assists.
In his four-year career entering this weekend, Batesole has appeared in 208 games (one shy of reaching the top 10 all-time in program history) making 190 starts. He is a career .280 hitter with 183 hits in 654 at-bats and has tallied 20 doubles, seven triples, seven home runs, 74 RBIs and 88 runs scored.
Batesole has proven to be a staple in the Bulldog lineup this season in the No. 2 hole and has also made a big impact for Fresno State on the diamond at shortstop this season. The veteran Bulldog met with GoBulldogs.com to touch on his experience at Fresno State and what has impacted him the most.
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a Bulldog?
Batesole: "My most memorable moments are the times spent with my teammates on and off the field and the amazing run we went on at the end of my junior season."
Q: How was your transition into becoming a collegiate athlete?
Batesole: "I was fortunate enough to have a great group of older guys on the team my freshman year who helped me transition. (Former Bulldog) Ryan Dobson and (brother) Kody Batesole were in my group at the beginning of the fall and they always gave me advice and tips on how to survive baseball and college. They really made the transition easy and enjoyable."
Q: Who have you most looked up to while at Fresno State?
Batesole: "I have looked up to many people while here at Fresno State. Among others, Ryan Dobson and Mark Reece specifically. Dobby taught me to always show up to the field with a good attitude no matter what and enjoy every day. He was also very wise and a great mentor to me. Mark Reece was somebody I could go to with any question I had and I knew I would be getting a smart answer. He was older and had more experience in all facets of life and I admired him for that. Fortunately, he still lives in Fresno and I get to see him often."
Q: What will you miss most about Fresno State?
Batesole: "I am going to miss my teammates. I was blessed with the teammates that I have had in my four years here. We have had a group of fun guys who are unselfish and dedicated teammates. I love being out on the field with them and enjoying the moments I have."
Q: Do you have any pregame superstitions/rituals? Any favorite songs to warm up to?
Batesole: "My catch play with JT Arruda right before the National Anthem has become a routine this year. We always warm up and make our last two throws with our best Marcus Stroman and Johnny Cueto impressions. We also have to make sure that Mrs.Arruda and Brooke Ayerza are staying alive with a ball off the wall towards them. We go said hi to JT's parents and then we lock in for the game. As far as music goes, I am a big fan of listening to Drake before games. I do not like to be hyped up and crazy, so Drake's music helps me stay calm and relaxed."
Q: How would you describe this senior class?
Batesole: "This senior class is battle tested and experienced. This group has been through many highs and lows in our career and we have experienced a lot together. We have run many mile and a halves, endured many road study halls and won many games."
Quick Hitters
Favorite Food: My mom's four cheese lasagna
Favorite Hobby: Spikeball
Favorite Music: I love country music in the summer or some lowkey rap in the winter.
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