May 28, 2009

IRVINE, Calif. - The Bulldog baseball went through its final preparations for the NCAA tournament and one of the Dogs added to his already impressive trophy case.

Tom Mendonca, the 2008 College World Series Most Outstanding Player and 2009 WAC Player of the Year, was named a second-team All-American by Louisville Slugger and Collegiate Baseball Magazine.

The junior third baseman from Turlock, Calif., is already Fresno State's home run king with 57. For this season, he ranked third in the NCAA in homeruns with 27 and has batted .345 with 78 RBIs.

"Tom is a special player and we couldn't be more proud of him," said head coach Mike Batesole. "He's represented his school with class and on the field has been a game-changing player over the last two years. He's an All-American in every way."

He joins an impressive list of former Bulldogs on this team, including pitcher Bobby Jones, who was named the National Player of the Year in 1991. This year's player of the year is San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who is also competing at the Irvine Regional.

All of the NCAA regional teams practiced at Anteater Ball Park and participated in media conferences and meetings in preparation for the four-team regional. All games from the regional will be televised by ESPNU.

Fresno State opens the tournament against No. 1 UC Irvine on Friday at 8 p.m. The Anteaters have been the nation's top-ranked team for the last five weeks.

Anteater Ball Park sits on a hill on the UC Irvine campus. All of the 900 chair-back seats have been sold. Known as a pitcher's park, only 24 homeruns have been hit there all season long.

A limited number of general admission tickets on the grassy hillside on the right field line are available.

Join the State - Fresno State! The Bulldog baseball team opens dese of its NCAA championship Friday in the NCAA Irvine Regional against No. 1 UC Irvine. The game will be at 8 p.m. PT and can be seen live on ESPNU and heard in the Valley on KMJ radio.