[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14103-14104]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 604--CONGRATULATING THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, 
FRESNO BULLDOGS BASEBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2008 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE 
         ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION DIVISION I COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

  Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 604

       Whereas on June 25, 2008, the student athletes of the 
     California State University, Fresno Bulldogs baseball team, 
     in the sixth elimination game faced by the Fresno State 
     Bulldogs, finished a true Cinderella story season, winning 
     the 2008 National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I 
     College World Series Championship (referred to in this 
     preamble as the ``2008 NCAA College World Series'') by 
     defeating the University of Georgia Bulldogs, 2 games to 1, 
     in a best-of-3 championship;
       Whereas the 2008 NCAA College World Series is the second 
     championship for the California State University;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs are the lowest-seeded 
     team in college sports history to win a championship;

[[Page 14104]]

       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs won 6 elimination games 
     to win the 2008 NCAA College World Series, which is a 
     testament to the resilience, fortitude, and ``never say die'' 
     attitude of the team;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs beat number 3-ranked 
     Arizona State University, number 6-ranked Rice University, 
     number 2-ranked University of North Carolina, and number 8-
     ranked University of Georgia to win the 2008 NCAA College 
     World Series;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs tied the record of most 
     runs, 62, in the College World Series;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs elimination game, a 19-10 
     win against Georgia just 1 day earlier, produced College 
     World Series records for most runs in a game by 1 team, most 
     combined runs, most hits by 1 team, most combined hits, and 
     longest game;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs played 78 games this 
     year, more than any other team in the United States;
       Whereas playing with a torn ligament in his left thumb, 
     right fielder Steve Detwiler had 4 hits in 4 at-bats, 
     including 2 home runs and 6 runs batted in, during the 
     championship game;
       Whereas Justin Wilson, the winning pitcher, pitching on 
     just 3 days rest, was able to pitch 129 pitches, 86 of which 
     were strikes over 8 strong innings, allowing just 5 hits, 1 
     run, and striking out 9 batters;
       Whereas Tommy Mendonca, third baseman for the 2008 NCAA 
     College World Series champion Fresno State Bulldogs, was 
     named the ``Most Outstanding Player'', tying the College 
     World Series record with 4 home runs;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs have 5 players on the 
     2008 NCAA College World Series all-tournament team, including 
     third baseman Tommy Mendonca, second baseman Erik Wetzel, 
     outfielder Steve Susdorf, outfielder Steve Detwiler, and 
     pitcher Justin Wilson;
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs have shown great 
     character, comradery, resilience, and sportsmanship on the 
     way to winning the national championship;
       Whereas the fellow students, families, alumni, faculty, and 
     fans of the Fresno State Bulldogs have been a great part of 
     this championship, showing great support with many 
     individuals wearing ``Underdogs to Wonderdogs'' t-shirts; and
       Whereas the Fresno State Bulldogs have instilled within the 
     City of Fresno and the State of California great pride and 
     excitement: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the California State University Fresno 
     Bulldogs baseball team for winning the 2008 National 
     Collegiate Athletics Association Division I College World 
     Series; and
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
     students, and staff whose hard work and dedication made 
     winning the championship possible.

                          ____________________