The Fresno State baseball team will host the Mountain West Conference tournament May 22-26 at Pete Beiden Field.
The Bulldogs have fared well in tournaments in the past, but this is their first time playing in the Mountain West tournament.
Here is a look at the teams the Bulldogs will be hosting in the tournament (in order of current standing):
New Mexico
Record: 30-17, 20-4
Key Player: D.J. Peterson is tearing the cover off the ball for the Lobos with a .410 batting average, 13 home runs, 22 doubles and 58 RBIs.
Update: The Lobos ran away with the Mountain West Conference regular season championship. It was their second straight regular season title. They also won last year’s tournament. Ranked No. 17 in the nation, the Lobos head to Fresno State this weekend and close out the regular season at San Diego State next weekend.
UNLV
Record: 31-17, 13-11
Key Player: Pitcher Buddy Borden has a 6-1 record in 12 starts this season. He has a 2.23 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 80 2/3 innings.
Update: The Rebels have won four of their last five games, including taking two of three from Fresno State this past weekend. They are 4-2 against Fresno State this season. The Rebels finish the regular season against Nevada and Air Force.
San Diego State
Record: 23-24, 13-11 MW
Key Player: Ryan Doran is the team’s ace with a 6-2 record and a 2.92 ERA in 77 innings of work.
Update: There is not much punch in the Aztecs offense, which is led by manager Tony Gwynn, who was one of baseball’s greatest hitters. The Aztecs have a .263 average as a team and nobody has more than three home runs. They have a 4-2 record against Fresno State and close out the season against Air Force and New Mexico.
Nevada
Record: 24-23, 11-13 MW
Key Player: Austin Byler is hitting .353 with eight home runs, 10 doubles, three triples and 40 RBIs.
Update: The Wolf Pack took two of three games from the Bulldogs back in March. They play at Fresno State on the final weekend of the regular season. The two teams could be playing for the No. 4 spot in the Mountain West.
Fresno State
Record: 17-29, 10-14 MW
Key Player: Aaron Judge, the preseason All-American, is living up to the hype. He is hitting .357 with eight home runs, 12 doubles and 28 RBIs.
Update: The Bulldogs are 8-5 in their final 13 games. They close out the season with six conference games at home and then host the conference tournament. It won’t be easy with New Mexico and Nevada coming to town.
Air Force
Record: 13-33, 5-19 MW
Key Player: Garrett Custons is hitting .376 with 21 doubles and 25 RBIs. His 21 doubles are a school record.
Update: It has been a long season or the Falcons. They went 1-5 against Fresno State this season, including losing five straight in Fresno over a three-day period. They close out the regular season against San Diego State and UNLV.