Who do you want in the starting lineup?

Now that Fresno State's "UnderDOGS to WonderDOGS Part 2" came to an abrupt end after two straight losses to open the NCAA regionals in Irvine, this much we know:

• Tommy Mendonca and Holden Sprague are true 'Dogs at heart. Both were choked up and nearly moved to tears knowing their Bulldogs careers were coming to an end (Mendonca as an early-round draft pick and the school's all-time home run king).
• Dusty Robinson is good, as in Freshman All-America good. The left fielder bashed 15 taters and his batting average skyrocketed the last month of the season.
• Derek Benny is gonna be good, as in Matt Garza/Tanner Scheppers good. Maybe even Jeff Weaver/Bobby Jones good. Benny is a power pitcher, like Garza and Scheppers, but had far more control of his stuff than either of those two did as freshmen.
• There are five really, and I stress really, annoying kids who are UC Irvine fans. I know because they sat right behind us at the regionals and mocked every traditional Diamond 'Dogs chant. And the three adults with 'em just encouraged the foolishness.

What we don't know, however, is what next year's starting lineup will look like. There's a lot of turnover, a nice group of signees and lots of returning talent. So sound off. Who do you want in the 2010 Fresno State baseball starting lineup? Here's my take:

1. Danny Muno, 2B
2. Nick Hom, 3B
3. Dusty Robinson, LF
4. Jake Johnson, DH
5. Steve Detwiler, RF
6. Clay Cederquist, 1B
7. Brennan Gowens, CF
8. Garrett Weber, SS
9. Trent Garrison, C

Pitching Rotation
Derek Benny
Jake Floethe
Josh Poytress
Matt Morse

Hooray Inman!!!

Fresno State could use more fans like Inman Perkins.

I'll let that one line stand alone. Because as a Fresno State baseball fan, he stands alone. It's a pleasure to know the Diamond 'Dogs honored the longtime most vocal of fans with his own jersey on Saturday. I'd go so far as to say his name belongs up on that outfield wall with the likes of Tom Goodwin, Bob Bennett, Bobby Jones, Pete Beiden and all the rest.

Inman's contributions have been of similar impact. 40 years. Cheering from the top of each dugout. Doing his "Go...'Dogs...Go" chants, the "F-R-E-S-N-O" spellout and the infamous leg kick during the chants. All while wearing Bulldog Red shoes. Almost every single game. All those years. What a guy.

Here's to you Inman Perkins!

This Tanner is no Bad News Bear...

Did you guys all catch this big story in Baseball America?

It's all about Fresno State pitcher Tanner Scheppers, who coach Mike Batesole says is right around that 100 mph mark (so beware guy who hit the comebacker into Scheppers' face in last year's Regionals).

For years, I've been thinking the 'Dogs just need to get another one of those dominant pitchers to get back to the College World Series and the top 10. And I didn't really see this coming last year, but maybe Scheppers is that guy? Jeff Weaver was almost unbeatable. Bobby Jones was unbeatable (and he didn't even have to throw more than 92 to earn college pitcher of the year honors). Steve Soderstrom, dominant. Seeing Dick Ruthven get his jersey number retired yesterday made me realize he was pretty unhitable (no-hitter and career 1.51 ERA...who does that in college)!?

Is Scheppers going to be another on that short list? Maybe it's time to book those plane tickets to Omaha...? This week's tournament in San Diego should tell us plenty.