On the Farm Will Students Use It?

The Collegian Multimedia Sports Men’s baseball Oscar winners recap, Online takes opening series, Page 8

Fresno State | Serving the campus since 1922 February 23, 2009 | Monday collegian.csufresno.edu

Library now open, but On the farm will students use it?

By Alex Zimmerman The Collegian Since the start of the re- construction of the Henry Madden Library, checking out books required a request from the library, and then the book would be sent from the warehouse where they were being stored, followed by an e-mail sent when the book was ready to be picked up. Now that the library is finished, checking out will change. The warehouse that was storing the books is now out of the picture, because Students take now, all those books fit in the new building. When asked about checking out books, senior mass care of animals communication and jour- nalism student Markus Collazo said, “I know how to check books out ‘as if they were online, and I have been to a library before, so it can’t be more than finding a selection and bringing it their own’ to the counter.” By Brian Maxey Fresno State students The Collegian have become accustomed to not having a library. Fresno State’s campus farm — complete “I have been here since with horse stables, a meat processing the Fall of 2005, so I have plant, a swine and beef unit, a dairy plant technically never had a and even an on-site veterinary facility — library here on campus,” operates as a small slice of rural agricul- Collazo said. ture amidst urban sprawl. “I have gotten along pret- Students might forget that a 1,100-acre ty well without one. Now campus farm exists. Yet, the familiar it is going to be weird to smell of manure in the morning may Matt Weir / The Collegian actually have a library. I remind them that the university is, A cattle chute (top) is visible outside the farm’s beef unit. The unit resides between the horse unit and can no longer use the lack indeed, a farm school. the swine unit (bottom). of a library as an excuse From the outside, the farm may appear to my parents if I don’t get to be just an extension of the campus. good grades.” However, students from the many ag ost people forget about us back here. But I don’t mind it. It’s like Ever since the ribbon department programs do their best to cutting and official open- maintain the farm’s production. “Mhaving our own little niche — an environment that is completely ing of the library Collazo Students Matt Avila, a 24-year-old ours.” feels now he will probably senior transfer from Merced, and Zack head over there a couple Sayler, a 21-year-old junior transfer from — Zack Sayler, times a week to study in the University of Idaho, are two of the between classes. few dozen people who help operate and Junior “If I’m on campus and maintain the farm. need to do some homework Avila works as the herdsman manager However, their work space is not with- Sayler and Avila then must check the or I have some spare time on the farm’s beef unit, a student-run to catch up on reading I’ll out its share of duties. health of all the cattle, clean the equip- enterprise that breeds and sells cattle. The two, along with the three other stu- ment and the feedlots, and keep scru- be there,” Collazo said. Sayler serves as an assistant in the feed- “Also, I plan on tak- dents who work in the beef unit, begin pulous track of the cattle and feeding ing lot. their days promptly at 7 a.m., when they records. They must also oversee the birth- ing advantage of the Located just off of Barstow Avenue, the Starbucks like everybody prep the cattle for feeding. ing process and grooming of the cattle. unit sits tucked in between the horse unit, “We mix the feed right here on campus,” “It’s a lot that goes on here that people else.” which is easily visible from the street, Transfer student and Avila said, describing one of their several don’t see,” Avila said. and the swine unit. daily chores. The two say that their work is fun and business major Mike “It’s like most people forget about us Barnett says, “Back home “We give them a special mixture of that it gives them valuable experience back here,” Sayler said. corn, alfalfa, wheat hay, corn-silage and that they may otherwise not receive. “We in Los Angeles, I never “But I don’t mind it. It’s like having our really used a library. Even liquid ‘mol’ mix. It ensures that they get take pride in what we do,” said Sayler, own little niche — an environment that is the proper vitamins and minerals so that completely ours.” See BOOKS, Page 2 they’re healthy overall.” See FARM, Page 2 Page 2 The Collegian • News Monday, February 23, 2009 News Editor, Mathew Gomes • [email protected]

BOOKS: Many students FARM: Beef unit includes Angus and Charolais

CONTINUED from page 1 unfamiliar with libraries who would eventually like to breed bucking bulls as a profes- sional stock contractor. Avila, who eventually would like to sell vaccines for a major don’t even know what hoops I have to jump retailer like Pfizer, said that through to check out a book. I am sure it is people come in and check the “I cattle all the time. going to be nice to have, but what I am looking “The farm sits just off of forward to is the Starbucks in between classes.” Chestnut, so everyone can see what’s going on,” Avila said. — Mike Barnett, “We have to keep the cattle and the unit in the best possible Senior shape,” Avila said. “We take care of this herd as if it were our own. If the beef unit looks bad, we look bad, CONTINUED from page 1 be hanging out outside the and it would reflect bad on the library on a hill, reading school. It’s a chain reaction.” growing up, I had a field by the light of the giant Likewise, the two say that trip to the public library, screen on the outside working on campus is conve- but I never went there on of the library, enjoying nient and flexible. my own accord,” Barnett nature.” “We work when our sched- said. Many students use of ule allows for it, but we keep Matt Weir / The Collegian “I don’t even know what the library will depend on the cattle to a strict schedule,” hoops I have to jump their instructors. Fresno State’s dairy products, including cheeses and ice cream, are available at Sayler said. “So we can’t inter- the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market, among other local vendors. through to check out a “My instructors will rupt that.” book. I am sure it is going play a big part in my use The beef unit raises pure- in national competition. Avila also grew up around to be nice to have, but what of the library.” Barnett bred Angus and Charolais Avila, who also helps oversee cattle on his family’s purebred I am looking forward to is said. cattle, rearing the cattle from the records of the facility, said Angus cattle ranch. the Starbucks in between “If they need me to read bull-calves to 18 months of age. the beef unit made more than “I’ve been around cattle all my classes.” books that I have to check Avila, who assists in breeding $55,200 during its annual Red life,” he said. “I guess I’ve been Barnett explained his out than yes, the library the cattle through artificial Wave Steer Sale, when 40 calves kinda bred into it. It’s not all I lack of desire to use the becomes more important insemination, said: “We breed were sold. know, but it’s what I like best.” library. to me,” he said. in spring then, turn them out to Although young, the two ag “I enjoy working here more “I honestly don’t think “Other than that I really natural pasture, and bring them business majors are veterans than going to class,” Avila I will be at the library only see myself making back in the fall.” when it comes to rearing cattle. admitted. “But we’re here to much, because the only an appearance or two.” Currently, the farm has 41 “I’ve been running cattle go to school and we know, as of books I need are my text- Charolais and 29 Angus on since I can remember,” Sayler now, that it is our main prior- books and I have those,” COMMENT: The Collegian is site. When the male offspring said. “My family has been in ity.” he said. C a forum for student expres- come of age, the unit then sells the ranching business for gen- Sayler agreed. “I’d rather be Barnett elaborated, “if I sion. http://collegian.csu- them to commercial buyers or erations. It’s kinda my way of outside working with the ani- need to read in peace I will fresno.edu enters the show-quality cattle life.” mals than behind a desk.” The Collegian That’s What the People Are Saying On car tax increase becoming effective same day as special elections don't think lawmakers had much choice but to “I raise taxes and make huge program cuts given the size of the state budget deficit. But if they're really seri- ous about getting the items on the special election bal- lot passed, they should have considered the timing of the increase in the car tax. ” OpinionOpinionPage 3 Opinion Editor, Daniela Lopez • [email protected] • Monday, February 23, 2009 —Jim Boren, www.fresnobee.com On e -Fi n g e r Culled each week from discussions Disgust to admiration in The Collegian Sa l u t e newsroom.

Biased rush to condemn Nadya Suleman Thumbs up Maybe so, but I came away from that octuplets is the fact that if she were Fresno State interview feeling quite different. married, this whole situation would baseball team As an only child myself, I can under- probably be viewed in quite a different stand Suleman’s loneliness; with light. The Bulldogs opened the season strong multiple imaginary playmates and the Couples like Jon and Kate Gosselin after winning their opening series against desire for a large family someday. I and Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey, who Washington, winning two out of three even used to joke that no less than 500 have had sextuplets and septuplets games this past weekend at Beiden kids would do, but that doesn’t really respectively, gained mostly favorable Field. Pepsi & Prozac seem that funny to me anymore. media attention, as they have been fea- Sa r a h A. Pe t e r s o n I also couldn’t help but admire her tured in Ladies Home Journal and/or will and determination to start a fam- star in their own reality show. Thumbs up ily, even after a divorce, myriad fertil- And then there are Jim Bob and Library’s opening hen Nadya Suleman gave ity and financial setbacks. Michelle Duggar, who had their 18th birth to octuplets on Jan. But what affected me the most was child last year. I don’t see anyone W26, the rest of the world her staunch belief that every one of chewing them out for procreating to After having to go without a library for gaped in open amazement. those embryos deserved a chance to such a degree. far too long, people can finally use a But when it came out And yes, I know. They university library for what could be their that she was a single can afford it, so why not? very first time. Even more amazing is mother who already had I do agree that Nadya being able to get that delicious cup of six other children, that ut what affected me the most was her staunch Suleman is in way over Starbucks-joe without leaving Bulldog amazement quickly turned “Bbelief that every one of those embryos deserved her head; I also wonder land and making the grueling journey to to scorn. a chance to grow into a human being, and her refusal to what she could possibly the distant south side of Shaw Avenue. All I could think was discard any of them.” have been thinking when “who does this chick think she had all those embry- she is?” os implanted, even if she Thumbs up As more details didn’t think all of them The unstoppable emerged, the media went would stick. ‘Snuggies’ wild with the story. She was unem- grow into a human being, and her Still, I can’t help but admire and ployed, her student loans were used up refusal to discard any of them. respect someone who stands by her After selling more than 4 million since and she was in the process of sucking I’ve flip-flopped on the abortion choices and convictions despite almost last September, ‘Snuggies’ are hittin’ the the welfare system dry. issue practically my whole life, but universal ridicule and condemnation. streets for a one night event of ‘Snuggie’ But then I saw Suleman’s interview when my best friend became pregnant And if I were her, I’d take Angels warmth and alcohol. Chicago and San with Ann Curry, and my disgust gradu- late last year, my perspective changed. of Mercy up on their offers of help, Francisco already have set dates for the ally began to fade away. Seeing her ultrasound pictures and because I doubt anybody else is going official ‘Snuggie Pub Crawl,’ and 13 The press had a blast pointing out realizing that I have a chance to be a to foot the bill. other cities are planning their own ‘BYO- her pathetic attempts to justify herself, surrogate aunt, I began to see life for Snuggie’ event. and to imitate Angelina Jolie. She was the miracle that it really is. COMMENT: The Collegian is a Buying a ‘Snuggie’: $19.95. Being part so obviously just some “wannabe,” Perhaps what bothers me the most forum for student expression. of a crowd of drunk stumbling ‘Snuggie’- hoping to leech some fame and quick about the reactions to Suleman’s C http://collegian.csufresno.edu lovers: oh so priceless. cash from the system.

Le t t e r t o t h e Ed i t o r

A letter to the editor was published on February 18 stating that the new Starbucks opening on campus is an “unethical” move on the part of the University because of Starbucks’ coffee purchasing policies. As a former Starbucks employee I am familiar with these policies. Starbucks has actually been a member of the Fair Trade movement since 2000, purchasing Fair Trade Certified coffee to ensure that farmers receive substantial premiums for their beans. Starbucks is one of the largest buyers of Fair Trade Certified coffee, purchasing approximately 10% of the global Fair Trade coffee imports. Also, Starbucks is licensed to sell Fair Trade Certified coffee in 23 countries—the only company to do so. Although not all of Starbucks’ coffee is Fair Trade Certified, they pay well above the average market price for commodity-grade coffee, about 23% higher. Starbucks plans to double their amount of Fair Trade Certified coffee in 2009, increasing their pur- chase to 40 million pounds. Starbucks prides itself on being a socially responsible company. They work with their farming families to improve their quality of life by funding projects that will benefit the coffee communities. Starbucks is anything but a “shameful” company. For more information on how Starbucks works with the Fair Trade movement and coffee farming communities as well as other service efforts, readers can visit www.starbucks.com. Andrea Smith Junior English

Letters to the Editor ([email protected]) Editor in Chief Brandon Santiago Local Advertising Manager Christina Johnson THE All letters submitted to The Collegian must not exceed News Editor Mathew Gomes Advertising Coordinator Stacia Sturman Copy Editor Melissa Knopp National Advertising Manager 250 words in length, must be type-written, and must be Thomas Rouse Collegian Features Editor Valerie Nevens Special Projects Enrique Loera accompanied by a full name and phone number to verify Features Reporter Sarah A. Peterson Special Projects Landon Reda content. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all material for Sports Editors Logan Hopkins Special Projects Tiana Durso George Stepanoff Jr. length, content, spelling and grammar, as well as the right to Art Director Michael Uribes The Collegian is a student-run The Collegian Sports Reporter Lorenzo Reyna publication that serves the California State University, Fresno refuse publication of any material submitted. All material Opinion Editor Daniela Lopez Assistant Art Director Brandon Ocegueda Fresno State community 5201 N. Maple Ave., M/S SA42 submitted to The Collegian becomes property of The Collegian. Photo Editor Bryan Cole Distribution Manager Savannah West Accountancy Assistant Pasindu Samarasekera on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fresno, CA 93740-8027 Multimedia Editor Heather Billings Each member of the campus community is permitted one copy of Webmaster Christa Williams Fridays. Views expressed News Line: (559) 278-2486 Assistant Multimedia Editor Joel M. Ede The Collegian. Subscriptions are available for $25, on a semester Online Reporter Darrell Copeland III in The Collegian do not Business Line: (559) 278-5735 basis. Staff positions at The Collegian are open to students of all necessarily reflect the views Newscast Reporter Whitney Vasquez Business Manager/Online Adviser Virginia Sellars-Erxleben majors. Contact the Editor in Chief for details. Multimedia Reporter Carl Merriam of the staff or university. http://collegian.csufresno.edu Faculty Adviser Jefferson Beavers All content Copyright © 2009 The Collegian. Broadcast Personality Toni Martinez Advertising Instructor Jan Edwards The Collegian Word of the Day laundry limbo

Intentionally rewashing clothing simply because you don't feel like putting it away. FeaturesFeaturesPage 4 • Features Editor, Valerie Nevens • [email protected] • Monday, February 23, 2009 From UrbanDictionary.com Best and worst dressed at the Oscars By Valerie Nevens The Collegian

While only a select few were nominated for the 2009 Academy Awards, and even fewer won, the one award still up for grabs at the Oscar preshow is the dreaded worst dressed label—an award most Hollywood stars do their best to avoid. Some accomplished this feat with grace and ease, while oth- ers made such blatant attacks on the red carpet that they must have wanted the “worst” title. One such fashion no-no was committed by Robin Swicord, Clockwise; Mickey Rourke in his awkard white suit, black vest combo, Natalie Portman looking as elegant as a who collaborated with Eric princess, John Legend in a simple yet sophisticated black suit, and worst dressed of the night, Robin Swicord, in Roth on the adapted screen- an oversized floral print dress. play for “The Curious Case of Photos from McClatchy Tribune Benjamin Button.” With the film up for 13 Oscars you’d think all its participating writers would make greater efforts to keep the good press coming, but with Swicord’s mismatched silky floral print gown and three-fourths sleeve baby blue jacket, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has one “Love Guru” like blemish on its otherwise spotless record. As for the worst dressed male, my vote goes to Mickey Rourke, whose comeback performance in “The Wrestler” may have been award winning, but whose white suit and shades combo was overreach- ing. Of course, not every outfit was as disastrous as Swicord’s or Rourke’s. Natalie Portman’s lilac purple gown, for example, combined with her poise and lack of need to do ridiculous hand-on-hip and kisses-over- the-shoulder poses like Miley Cyrus, gave her the elegance of a modern princess. All those years playing Queen Amidala in “Star Wars” really paid off. Another best dressed winner was singer John Legend who, like Portman, kept his com- posure around the cameras. Rourke could take some point- ers from Legend whose simple black suit came off classy, rather than trashy. Classifieds

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Copper Beech Needs Motivated Individual! Looking to pursue Marketing or Real Estate? Please fax in your resume to 559-431-7979 Monday, February 23, 2009 The Collegian • Features Page 5 Features Editor, Valerie Nevens • [email protected]

Edited by Wayne Robert Williams The daily crossword Tribune Media Services, Inc.

8 Suit toppers ACROSS 9 Doubtful gesture 1 Dog from Kansas 10 Open clash 5 Peruvian people 11 Expanse 10 Actress Blanchett 12 Drying powder 14 Shop sign 13 Cosmo rival 15 Pestiferous insect 21 More ironic 16 Like a dental exam 22 St. Louis pro 17 Grinding device 25 Losing streak 18 “Lou Grant” star 26 Esteem 19 Jodie Foster film 27 Arboreal lemur 20 Not readily apparent 28 A Barrymore 23 Exist 29 Game setting 24 Four qts. 30 Brownish orange 25 Lustrous 32 Not by any means 28 End hunger 33 Best possible 31 Short skirts 34 Feudal peons 35 Nol of Cambodia 37 Highest degree 36 Trick into difficulty 38 Round legume 39 Secret system 41 Bric-a-brac stands 40 Feeling poorly 42 Thus far 43 Cartoonist Drucker 47 Extinct bird 44 Reddish-orange dyes 50 Go-betweens 45 Big klutz 52 River romper Complete the grid so that every row, column and Puzzle by Adele Mann, New York, NY 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively. 46 King of Troy 53 Demonstrate subservi- C SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu 48 Deposit ence 49 Two-masted sailboats PUZZLE SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu 54 Very dry, as champagne 51 Gunk C Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved. 55 Continental money 53 Small barrel 56 Images in rev. Quote of the Day 54 Lower than low 57 In this spot 63 Regretful one 69 Hurl 2 Andy Taylor’s boy 58 Projecting rock “Life is like playing a violin solo in public 64 Short and sweet 70 Kingly 3 Legendary archer 59 Peak in Thessaly and learning the instrument as one goes 65 Wyle or Webster 71 Collar stiffener 4 Borrowed 60 Ring around a castle on.” 66 Craving 5 Raging 61 Father 67 Wipe out DOWN 6 Snack 62 Bridge team — Samuel Butler, 68 Adhesive strip 1 Sepulcher 7 Punishment stick British Poet From BrainyQuote.com

February 23—The depart- February 24—The C.A.F.E February 26—The African February 26—Fresno State ment of history’s Gender Infoshop in downtown Fresno and American Indian stud- Men’s Basketball plays and History lecture series is having a showing of the ies department is showing Nevada at 7 p.m. in the Save Calendar presents speaker Maxine film “What I Want My Words and discussing the film “The Mart Center. Craig discussing the topic to do to you,” based on the Spook who Sat by the Door,” Compiled by Valerie Nevens “The Color of an Ideal Negro play by Eve Ensler at 7 p.m. based on Sam Greenlee’s The Collegian Beauty Queen: Miss Bronze, A $5 donation is appreciated black revolutionary book, 1961-1968” from 4 p.m.-5 but not required. from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. in EE p.m. in IT101. 191. Page 6 • The Collegian • Monday, February 23, 2009 ebc o h eto be the back for the rest of you won’t of that read, “Half most notable a large sign from the student section, “bandwagoners” with signs baseball and labeled them as out the fans new to Bulldog the same way. welcome the new fans quite ticket stubs from 2008. baseball for fans without any introduction to Bulldog inning to take the lead back, homerun in the eighth Dusty Robinson hit a solo when freshman outfielder Friday night. throughout the stadium on and energy passion that was the crowd’s added fed off er Holden Sprague said. Friday night’s starting pitch everyone’s eyes on you,” to get emotional and feel thrown, you can’t help but before the first pitch was crowd. their new identity and the 2009 team has embraced 2008, and the summer of exactly what they hoped for. hosted the Huskies, fans got night when the Bulldogs goes along with that. Friday enjoy the emotional ride that something and be a part of what happened in Omaha. were only there because of dance for the opening night the fans in atten – a lot of season.” CONTINUED from page 8 FANS: Detwiler even said that Sprague and the Bulldogs “The emotions ran high Everything changed in Fans are just looking to But wasn’t that expected? The group made a point A few students called But some die-hards didn’t Perfect ending on Friday - - faces faces in the stands. the players noticed the new than a typical weekend. And the crowd was much healthier on Saturday or Sunday, but hope it’s like that tomorrow.” “It was the greatest feeling – I was shaking,” Detwiler said. homerun the entire ground When Dusty Robinson hit that than it ever has before. Beiden Field felt differently Detwiler was thrilled to be The games didn’t sell out “It was awesome out there. in the next few years. the sold out crowds back with that this team will welcome bandwagon, I have the feeling to watch the Diamond ’Dogs. will want to keep coming out they want,” Detwiler said. crowd size. of to play their game regardless but said that the team is going Friday and see a full house, the atmosphere on a part of f hycos ogtofthe they choose to get off If And hopefully that crowd “The crowd can do what - All die-hards weren’t welcoming to new fans, but the team liked the crowd. Bryan Bryan Cole / The Collegian Monday, February 23, 2009 The Collegian • Sports Page 7 Sports Editors, Logan Hopkins and George Stepanoff Jr. • [email protected] ’DOGS: Johnson scores in bottom ninth

CONTINUED from page 8 five more runs, three of which were of work, but didn’t allow a run, as the unearned. theme of game three was runners left With two outs in the top of the ninth, Starting pitcher Sean Bonesteele got on base. the Fresno faithful stood up waving the nod in game two, but only lasted 3 Washington left seven runners their towels in anticipation of a win. 1/3 innings. stranded while Fresno State left 12. But the Huskies would quiet the Fresno State’s bats weren’t able to But it would take just one big hit to win crowd quickly with a home run to tie put anything together all game until game three for the Bulldogs. the game again. the ninth inning, and fell short drop- And that hit came in the bottom of Finally, in the bottom of the ninth, ping game two 11-4. the seventh inning with the game tied Johnson hit a double to lead off the Coming into the season, the pitch- at one. inning, and eventually score the win- ing staff was the biggest concern for Third baseman Tom Mendonca deliv- ning run on a wild pitch as the Bulldogs Batesole and his team, and in game two ered a single to bring in two runs, and won game one 5-4. the Huskies staff dominated. that would be enough, as the Bulldogs Sprague says opening night was like “We got out pitched and outplayed,” went on to win game three, 3-1. a roller coaster. Batesole said. “You have to give their Sophomore shortstop Danny Muno “We would take the lead, then they starting pitcher credit. The lefty locat- had a big weekend and showed why would tie it, and the ending was climat- ed his pitches, but our young club will he was chosen as a preseason All-WAC ic,” Sprague said. “But all that matters learn to adjust.” player. After three games, Muno leads is that it ended in a ‘W’ for us.” The youth of Bulldog baseball was the team in average (.500), slugging In game two, it was a different present over the weekend as six fresh- percentage (.600), on base percentage story. Over the first eight innings, the men made their first appearances. (.643), runs (2) and hits with five. Bryan Cole / The Collegian Washington pitching staff held the In the final game against the Huskies, Alan Ahmady, who led the Bulldogs Sophomore shortstop Danny Muno had a strong Bulldogs to two hits and a single run, starting pitcher Jake Floethe set the in batting average last year, was miss- showing in the opening series for the Bulldogs. as the Huskies were in control from the tone for the Bulldogs. Floethe’s perfor- ing in action over the weekend, and Muno, the switch hitter, is leading Fresno State start. mance was nearly a mirror image of will miss two more games due to a vio- in batting average, hits and other categories Washington jumped out to a 4-0 lead what Sprague did in game one of the lation of athletic department policy. after going 5-for-10 against Washington. by the third inning, and basically put series. The Bulldogs’ next game is Tuesday, the game away by the fourth adding Floethe gave up six hits in six innings at home against Cal Poly, at 6:05 p.m. Softball goes 2-2 against four Top 25 teams Nation’s top talent gives Bulldogs’ ace Melloh first two losses of the 2009 season.

By Lorenzo Reyna Carolina, Northwestern and teams, it’s good for your team,” from Bakersfield struck out Florida is very good.” The Collegian UCLA. Wright said. “Our pitchers did seven batters and earned her Fresno State then struggled “It’s a great tournament and really well in both games.” second victory of the season. against a Maryland team that Coach Margie Wright and great exposure for our play- The winning pitcher against She hasn’t lost a game so far in hasn’t had much success this the Fresno State softball team ers,” Wright said. “We always Northwestern was Morgan her Bulldog softball career. season. Maryland is currently love competition, and the request to play against top 25 Melloh, who struck out 11 bat- “Oakes is going to be very 2-6 but Fresno State’s Haley Cathedral City Classic offered teams.” ters and allowed just two hits good and I’m pleased,” Wright Perkins saw a Terrapins team just that this past weekend in Fresno State picked up in the 3-0 victory. said. “She’s a fighter and I was who showed up ready to play Southern California. two victories versus No. 12 Melloh also joined an exclu- extremely pleased with her on Saturday. The Bulldogs were one of 18 Northwestern and No. 21 sive club during the tourna- performance.” “Maryland was hard because ranked teams playing in the North Carolina. They also ment, the 500 strikeout club. Oakes pitched all seven we didn’t show up at first,” 32-team tournament. Four of earned a hard-fought win ver- She now has 507 career strike- innings against North Perkins said. “We struggled, those teams who faced Fresno sus unranked Maryland. outs in her softball career. Carolina on Saturday. but in the end, a victory is a State were Florida, North “When you beat two ranked “She’s an outstanding pitch- Despite their success on victory.” er,” Wright said. “She’s been Saturday, the Bulldogs had Perkins was strong at the great since she’s been here.” their struggles early on in the plate against Maryland. She Melloh improved her victory Cathedral City Classic and at batted four times and had total to four on the 2009 season the end of the tournament. It three hits off of Terrapin with her performance against all began against the highest pitchers Sarah Dooley and Northwestern. ranked team they had to go Kerry Hickey in the 2-1 win. Melloh wasn’t the only pitch- against. The senior third base- er that Wright was impressed No. 2 ranked Florida defeated man also led the way against with - Mackenzie Oakes has the Bulldogs 8-0 on Thursday. Northwestern, with one hit also impressed the long-time The Gators scored all eight and scoring one of three runs softball coach. runs in just five innings. against the Wildcats. Oakes was the winning pitch- “You wouldn’t have recog- Much like her coach, Perkins er in the 4-2 victory against nized us out there,” Wright also wants to play against the North Carolina. The freshman said. “We were nervous and best. “I love playing against top competition,” Perkins said. “Playing against top teams helps prepare us for the postseason.” One team that Fresno State is very familiar with when reaching postseason play is UCLA. The Bruins were the final opponent the Bulldogs had to face in the Cathedral City Classic. UCLA is now 38-10 all-time against Fresno State and con- cluded the tournament with a 10-2 win on Sunday against the Bulldogs. The Bruins earned the victory in six innings. The Bulldogs return to Fresno with a 6-3 record on the year. They will also prepare for their next challenge, their home opener versus Utah Valley this Thursday night. Fresno State faced tough competition in the Cathedral City Classic against four different ranked teams, and struggled at both the begin- ning and end of the tournament. Haley Perkins did send this message to Fresno State softball fans for the rest of the season: “We’re going to give it all that we have,” Perkins said. The Collegian Bulldog sound bite of the week “The electricity in the ball park on opening nght was something special. When the crowd got loud, you could hear an echo from a distance.” -Baseball head coach Mike Batesole SportsSportsPage 8 Sports Editors, Logan Hopkins and George Stepanoff Jr. • [email protected] • Monday, February 23, 2009 DIAMOND ’DOGS 2009 OPENING SERIES

Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Wash 4 Wash 11 Wash 1 FS 5 FS 4 FS 3 Bulldogs take series on opening weekend Bandwagon fans welcomed to Beiden for opener

On the Hop Lo g a n Ho p k i n s

sold out crowd of 3,825 came out to Beiden Field, AFriday, to watch the 2008 national champs begin their title defense with a dramatic ninth inning, to beat the Washington Huskies. If you were one of the 400 Fresno State students that were able to get a ticket to the baseball team’s season opener on Friday, consider yourself lucky. The atmosphere on Friday night was something rarely, if ever seen, at a Bulldog baseball game before. “We were concerned that these kids were going to be a little too jacked up,” head coach Mike Batesole said. The Bulldogs kept their emotions in check for the first eight and a Bryan Cole / The Collegian half innings, but in the bottom of Senior Holden Sprague, the Bulldogs’ ace in 2009, went six innings on Friday night and allowed one run in front of a full capacity crowd. On Sunday, the ninth the team finally let loose. sophomore Jake Floethe nearly mirrored Sprague’s performance with six innings of work allowing no runs with a career-high five strike outs. With the game tied 4-4 and a run- ner on third, it seemed fitting the College World Series hero Steve Detwiler would be the Bulldog at the plate. Fans pack Beiden to watch ’08 champs The team and the crowd were ready to explode with Detwiler’s game-winning hit, but instead, a By George Stepanoff Jr. Beiden Field over the weekend to The game was tight early, as both new face won it for Fresno State. The Collegian witness the No. 16 Bulldogs take starting pitchers took control of Washington pitcher Brian Pearl two of three games over the Pac-10’s the game. First baseman Jake Johnson came in from the bullpen and threw A National Championship sign Washington Huskies to start the sea- started his strong weekend offensively a wild pitch past his catcher. was unveiled. A College World Series son 2-1. with a single driving in two runs giving Instead of Detwiler, again cap- (CWS) flag was raised. New signs Former Diamond ’Dogs’ Justin the Bulldogs its first lead of the night, tivating ’Dog fans with heroics, appeared under the press box. Six 2008 Wilson, Justin Miller, Erik Wetzel, but the Huskies would answer back in last season’s third string catcher CWS heroes threw out ceremonial Steve Susdorf, Brandon Burke and the eighth inning with two runs to tie turned starting first baseman Jake first pitches, and for the first time in Clayton Allison watched Fresno State’s the game 3-3. Johnson, came home and beat the 15 years, a maximum capacity crowd ace Holden Sprague pitch six strong Bulldog freshman Dusty Robinson throw at the plate. of 3,825 fans came out to support the innings in the thrilling first game of who was third in the nation in home The fans cheered, screamed and Fresno State baseball team in its sea- the series. runs hit during his senior year in high jumped for Johnson, even if they son opener. “Sprague held it together Friday school, delivered a blast in the bottom didn’t see him on ESPN last sum- “The electricity in the ball park on night,” Batesole said. “He was effi- of the eighth inning with a home run mer. And just like that, a new sea- opening night was something special,” cient and it was great to see him not to dead center to put Fresno State back son with a new team identity and coach Mike Batesole said. “When the walk anyone.” on top 4-3. new fans began. crowd got loud, you could hear an echo Sprague tied his career high of six The game seemed like a perfect from a distance.” strikeouts allowing one run on six hits See ’DOGS, Page 7 A total of 8,811 fans attended Pete over six innings of work. See FANS, Page 6