These are a few of my favorite things...

If Fresno State started every game down five runs, the team might be undefeated.

Incredible. Granted the WAC overall is a sub-par baseball conference. But Fresno State's Diamond 'Dogs did it again. A fourth straight WAC tournament title (the tourney just started back up in 2006, and Fresno State's won it every time since). The 'Dogs were headed for possibly their worst record in about 30 years, and now have not only clinched a winning record, but also a chance to truly defend their national championship.

And who's the hero this time? If Lord almighty himself told us beforehand Fresno State would sweep two from New Mexico State today and one guy would be the hero in both games, it would take us about 20 guesses to choose who. Jordan Ribera. The sophomore first baseman from Clovis West who didn't play first base all year. He DH'd early in the season, only to sit the past couple months barely batting over .100 and with strikeouts galore.

Then Ribs hits a two-run homer in the eighth inning of Game 1 to put Fresno State up 9-7 after the team battled back from a 7-2 deficit. Later in Game 2, locked in a 3-3 tie, Ribs crushes another two-run shot to give the 'Dogs a 5-3 win. His third and fourth homers of the year. And he's named WAC tournament MVP after collecting more hits in the tourney than he had all season long to that point. And then real gut-buster is Ribera was only playing because preseason All-American Alan Ahmady was suspended earlier in the week and left at home.

This team is relentless. Full of heart. Full of fight. Fun. Inspirational. Anyone get a chance to see Holden Sprague react after a double play sealed the Game 1 win for the Bulldogs? Spraguer walked off the mound yelling and pumping his arms so hard he could have dislocated both shoulders. Then he delivered a breath-stealing chest bump to Ribera and continued fist pumping. That one visual is Fresno State baseball in a nutshell.

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!

A Great Day to be a Bulldog

The Diamond 'Dogs may have underachieved during the regular season (so much so that one has to wonder how long Mike Batesole will be allowed to remain coach), but none of that matters now. It's on to the regionals for Fresno State with a third straight WAC tourney championship!

And they made their undefeated run through the tournament without ace Tanner Scheppers (injury). Way to step it up Holden Sprague -- a huge performace today, just three hits in 5.1 innings pitched. So as we wait to hear from the NCAA which regional the 'Dogs will be in (who's up for a road trip?) let's shift some focus to football:

Derek Carr commits to the 'Dogs! That's right, David Carr's little brother, currently a junior in high school, reportedly gave Pat Hill his word that he'll be a 'Dog in '09. He has all the makings of a big-time QB and gives the Bulldogs possibly more depth at the position than ever before. Can you imagine the competition between Ryan Colburn, Matt Faulkner, Ebahn Feathers and Derek Carr? Wow...

Way to paint the Valley Bulldog Red Coach Hill!