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#ThisDateInBulldogHistory THREAD: Monday, 5/30/1988 – perhaps the most thrilling game day ever experienced on the @Fresno_State campus. It was the final day of the NCAA West I Regional, with a trip to @cwsomaha on the line, & an unlikely hero was about to emerge. (1/7)
The day before, @FresnoStateBSB had blown a 6-run lead & lost to USC 18-17. After bouncing back to eliminate Washington St. & NCAA player of the year, John Olerud, ‘Dogs had another shot at Trojans, needing to beat Mike Gillespie’s juggernaut twice to advance. (2/7)
In addition to winning 32 straight & achieving their 1st #1 national ranking that year, the ‘Dogs led the nation in attendance, and a standing room only crowd of 5,673 watched them outslug USC 17-12 to earn one more do-or-die game with Omaha on the line. (3/7)
In the 4th, Trojans led 2-1 & had the bases loaded for 3-hitter (& football QB) Rodney Peete. ‘Dogs 6th game in 4 days = bullpen was thin, but Bob Bennett confidently called on a slender 5’9” Jr. from Hoover HS/Fresno CC who had tossed all of 5-1/3 innings all season (4/7)
RHP Ken Baker promptly struck Peete out on 4 pitches, & would match his season total by mastering USC for the final 5-1/3 innings. A 6-run 7th highlighted by back-to-back-to-back HRs from Steve Pearse, Steve Vondran, & Jeff Mott gave him breathing room (5/7)
Eddie Zosky’s bomb in 8th provided 3 more, & ‘Dogs blasted Trojans 14-3 to advance to Omaha for 2nd time in school history & 1st time in 29 yrs. Unforgettable moment for 5,673 there, for thousands more watching live on @cbs47 w/ @randyrosenbloom & @reallocalmarc on the call…(6/7)
An “at last” moment for Diamond Dogs who had come SO close to Omaha, & a “you can get there from here” moment for little leaguers like yours truly. As Coach Bennett continues his recovery, here’s hoping he feels the love of the Red Wave like he did 32 years ago today. (7/7)
