When Fresno State right-fielder Steve Detwiller caught the final out in this years College World Series and stuck the ball into his back pocket, with a smile that went from ear to ear, I jumped off my couch and shouted "YES" as if I was a die-hard Bulldog fan whose long awaited misery was over.
Fresno State has only one championship in its schools history --none in baseball-- and none in mens sports. The Bulldogs only title came back in 1979 when their Softball team won it all.
It wasn't just the wait but how the Bulldogs got to Omaha that makes their story even better.
Throughout their College World Series Fresno State prevailed with their backs against the wall; five elimination games they faced and give elimination games they won.
It has been described as the biggest underdog story in all of college sports, "if this were March Madness than Fresno State would be between a 12-14 seed," said Scott Van Pelt in his description of the game.
Georgia who came into this tournament rated number one was a poll favorite to win the series. Those Bulldogs had their chances as well when they took a 5-0 lead in last nights game; however, Fresno State came back in win game 2 by a softball score of 19-10.
This game captivated my undivided attention; the heroism and excitement that Fresno State brought to the College World Series should remind us all why we began to cheer for sports back in the first place.
A wonderful reminder that you don't have to have a dog in the race to love a game.
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