The next mayor of Fresno

If I could rewind to last Tuesday, I would strongly consider voting for Gavin Hedstrom as mayor.

Nothing against Ashley Swearengin (I think she's a very attractive candidate) but she didn't hit a grand slam to give the Diamond 'Dogs the lead in an eventual Game 2 win over third-ranked Arizona State.

After Sunday's 8-6 victory, the Diamond 'Dogs are one win from reaching the College World Series to face Rice. An old WAC rivalry renewed. The only two teams to win the WAC title in about 10 years or so.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, at least nine innings of baseball remain. And the 'Dogs have every reason to believe they can finish this thing off tomorrow. It could be pitching by committee, or Tanner Scheppers could shock the world and take the mound.

All I know is a team whose fans chant, "Let's go Devils" on a Sunday sure as heck didn't deserve to win.

IS THERE A 'DOG IN THE HOUSE!?

WOOF!!!

Fresno State Diamond 'Dogs = Regional champs!

2 wins over No. 6 San Diego.
1 Clayton Allison complete-game shutout.
1 win over host No. 11 Long Beach State.
2 dislocated Tommy Mendonca fingers.
1 right field wall body-checked by Steve Detwiler.
2 enormous RBIs by Gavin Hedstrom.
1 Regional championship.
No. 3 Arizona State is next...

Holden Sprague and Brandon Burke pitched like true Bulldogs. Allison and Justin Wilson made it all possible with their mound gems in the days prior. And now it's time to do it all over again.

A College World Series berth would go a long way in restoring fans' confidence in coach Mike Batesole after the team disappointed throughout the regular season. But now we see what the 'Dogs really are capable of, the bats are hot and the arms are firing. Let's hope for a great showing by the Red Wave in Tempe...

Big props to all the 'Dogs fans who traveled to Long Beach, especially on Monday night...and especially to that guy with the giant Fresno State flag and old-school '91 baseball jacket running around the stands!