Diamond 'Dogs at Stanford Cardinal
Staff Report
The Collegian
Despite a 1-3 record, it’s a little too early for Fresno State baseball fans to hit the panic button given the program’s season-opening history.
The Bulldogs attempt to bounce back from a disappointing start as they go on the road to face a talented Stanford team.
Stanford returns 26 players, including 18 letter winners, from its 2006 team that reached the NCAA Super Regional. While the Cardinal appear to have stumbled out of the gate, Bulldogs fans must keep in mind that the team's three losses came on the road against No. 14 Cal State Fullerton.
Stanford’s junior outfielder Michael Taylor was a third team preseason All-American by Baseball America. The Bulldogs will need to shutdown Taylor’s bat to slow the Cardinal offense.
Taylor hit a homerun and had four RBI’s and five runs in the team’s opening series against Cal State Fullerton.
The Bulldogs will need to eliminate the hostile crowd by driving in a few early runs.
1. Loren Storey (LF): Storey is tied for the team lead in RBIs with four. He’ll need to start quick vs. Stanford.
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2. Erik Wetzel (2B): A complete hitter, but it would be nice to see him rake a few doubles as well.
3. Steve Susdorf (DH): Will need to prove he can hit against top-notch competition on the road at Stanford.
4. Ozzie Lewis (RF): Finally raked in two hits on the road at Cal Poly. The next thing should be the power.
5. Brian Lapin (CF): Has two doubles, but not near enough production at this spot in the lineup so far.
6. Jason Hershfield (1B): Has been inconsistent so far. Last game he was off, so now he should be on.
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7. Tom Mendonca (SS): At the plate, he’s like former ’Dog Beau Mills. In the field, he’s much, much better.
8. Todd Sandell (2B): When healthy, as he is now, he should hit. Consistent defense will keep him in the lineup.
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9. Danny Grubb or Ryan Overland (C): Grubb is better on defense than Overland, but neither of them hit as well as Batesole would like.
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