It was truly thrilling to watch them come back and knock off perennial powerhouse (and #3 seed nationally) Arizona State in the rubber match of their best-of-three super regional final at the home of the Sun Devils.
Unsung heroes like 2B Eric Wetzel and CF Gavin Hedstrom played a key role in the Bulldogs' improbable finish, more so than the big names of ASU first-rounders Brett Wallace and Ike Davis, who actually came to blows over something or other right before the final game. Hedstrom, of course, hit a grand slam to key the Game 2 in and it was Wetzel's double with the bases loaded that was the centerpiece of the 7-run 6th that propelled the Dogs in Game 3.
It brought back fond memories of the Dogs in the early 90's, when they had three first-rounders, including Tommy Goodwin, who had a nice little major-leaguer career as a CF and leadoff man.
Sentiment in my immediate family was divided over CSUF's trip to Omaha, though. We seem to think that the Bulldogs kind of missed out on my wife's nephew, who continues to develop at Cal Poly, rather than play for the home town team. But who knows? Maybe playing away from home was good for his development and maturity, too. Two of Wes's teammates went in the third round a few days back, almost a year to the day that Oakland took Grant Desme in the 3rd. Wes has played at a comparable level, and now he's off to play for the Mat-Su Miners. Here's hoping he stars with the wooden bat, and that his draft stock soars as a result....
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